Top-seeded Safin Upset at ATP Moscow

Attempting to win the title for the first time in eight tries, Safin was beaten Wednesday in second round play in three sets by unheralded Czech Radek Stepanek, bringing the Russian back down to Earth after his recent maiden title of the year at Beijing.

"I was tired, not so much from a physical point of view but mentally, after all the pressure and the three-set matches lately," Safin said. "Despite this being a bad loss, I still think I have good chances to make it to the Masters (Cup)."

No. 4 seed Vince Spadea was also upset by unseeded Russian Igor Andreev in three sets, while three other seeds advanced in (2) Joachim Johansson (d. Saulnier), (7) Filippo Volandri (d. Soderling 7-6 in the third), and (8) Nikolay Davydenko (d. last year's runner-up Sargsian).

"It was always nice to come back here and play in front of the Russian crowd. It's great that I could win and show very good tennis," said Andreev after taking out Spadea, adding that he is handling the pressure of playing in Russia. "Pressure but also I like to play and the Russian people can see me and give me extra energy. I like to play here, run to every ball and show great shots. For me it is a pleasure to play here."

In the two all-unseeded contests, Sweden's ageless Jonas Bjorkman edged Spaniard Dave Sanchez in three sets, and wildcard Igor Kunitsyn defeated Karol Beck.

In doubles, Safin and Max "The Beast" Mirnyi upset the American Bryan brothers in three sets.

On court Wednesday are Andreev vs. Carlsen, Bjorkman vs. (5) Youzhny, (Q) Voltchkov vs. (3) Dominik "The Dominator" Hrbaty, and (7) Volandri vs. "Grinning" Greg Rusedski.