Safin moves through

Originally published on: 26/02/10 12:54

The fifth-seeded Russian had lost the first set 6-3 but was 1-0 up in the second when a problem with his left knee caused him to withdraw.

Twenty-nine-year-old Safin, who bows out of professional tennis after next month’s Masters event in Paris, will next face Denis Istomin in the quarter-finals.

The Uzbekistani player was the benefit of another retirement – this time top seed Mikhail Youzhny, who was 6-2 2-1 down when a back injury forced him out.

Ukrainian qualifier Sergiy Stakhovsky beat Andrey Kuznetsov 6-1 6-4, while Igor Kunitsyn beat fellow Russian Michail Elgin 6-2 6-3.

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By Tim Farthing

About the Author / Tim Farthing

Tim Farthing, Tennishead Editorial Director & Owner, has been a huge tennis fan his whole life. He's a tennis journalist and entrepreneur as well as playing tennis to a national standard. He also helps manage his local club and volunteers for his local tennis organisation. He's a specialist in content about the administration of professional tennis and tennis coaching for all levels.