Safin Spanks Countryman Youzhny at ATP Metz
Posted on October 5, 2006Former World No. 1 Marat Safin doesn't like losing to fellow Russians, and the big man took care of business crushing his countryman and No. 4 seed Mikhail Youzhny 6-1, 6-4 in first-round play Wednesday in Metz, France.
The 26-year-old Russian, who helped lead his country to a 3-2 win over the United States in the Davis Cup semifinals two weeks ago, has won eight of his last eleven matches.
It was another good day for French players as no fewer that four earned victories. Arnaud Clement ousted Xavier Malisse 7-6(3), 6-2. Sebastien Grosjean also advanced to the second round, beating Florian Mayer 6-3, 6-4 in one hour and 17 minutes. In second-round play, Florent Serra in defeated French countryman Paul-Henri Mathieu 1-6, 6-3, 7-6(2), and the mild-mannered Marc Gicquel ended the hopes of Guillermo Garcia-Lopez, defeating the Spaniard 6-3, 6-3.
And in a battle of Spaniards, Ruben Ramirez-Hidalgo upset No.7 seed Fernando Verdasco 6-3, 6-3. The win was Ramirez-Hidalgo's second win over his countryman in as many weeks.
The 26-year-old Russian, who helped lead his country to a 3-2 win over the United States in the Davis Cup semifinals two weeks ago, has won eight of his last eleven matches.
It was another good day for French players as no fewer that four earned victories. Arnaud Clement ousted Xavier Malisse 7-6(3), 6-2. Sebastien Grosjean also advanced to the second round, beating Florian Mayer 6-3, 6-4 in one hour and 17 minutes. In second-round play, Florent Serra in defeated French countryman Paul-Henri Mathieu 1-6, 6-3, 7-6(2), and the mild-mannered Marc Gicquel ended the hopes of Guillermo Garcia-Lopez, defeating the Spaniard 6-3, 6-3.
And in a battle of Spaniards, Ruben Ramirez-Hidalgo upset No.7 seed Fernando Verdasco 6-3, 6-3. The win was Ramirez-Hidalgo's second win over his countryman in as many weeks.