Robredo hits back to oust Safin

 

Originally published on: 26/02/10 12:26

After heavy downpours prevented play for most of the day, a break in the bad weather allowed Spaniard Robredo to beat Safin in three sets and move into the second round.

After a slow start that saw the Russian former world number one go in front at 6-4 4-2, 13th seed Robredo fought back to force a tie-break, which he won 7-5. He then cruised to a 6-2 triumph in the final set.

“It was a great comeback,” said Robredo. “It was nearly the end of the match but suddenly I turned things around and I broke his game.

“I tried my best all the time. I won a really close tie-break. When I won the second set I knew it was my time, that I could win the match because Marat wouldn’t play as hard as he played in the first two sets.”

Robredo will meet Germany’s Philipp Kohlschreiber in the second round.

Kohlschreiber lost the first set but bounced back to beat Rome-born Simone Bolelli 4-6 6-1 6-0.

Marcel Granollers was no match for Robin Soderling of Sweden, who ousted the Spaniard 6-3 6-0.

Soderling will take on Romanian qualifier Victor Crivoi next, with the winner likely to meet world number one Rafael Nadal in the last eight.

Russia’s Mikhail Youzhny edged Daniel Gimeno-Claver 7-5 6-4 to set up a meeting with last year’s runner-up Stanislas Wawrinka while Germany’s Mischa Zverev surprisingly beat Tomas Berdych 4-6 6-2 7-5.

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