PERTH, Jan 8: Marat Safin muscled his way past Jiri Novak 6-7 7-6 6-3 on Thursday to give his Russian side victory in their Hopman Cup tie with the Czech Republic.
Anastasia Myskina had earlier nosed the Russians ahead with a 6-3 7-6 win over the tournament's surprise package Barbora Strycova, before Safin downed Novak. But the 17-year-old Strycova and Novak still had a major part to play at the A$1 million ITF mixed team competition as their 3-6 7-6 11-9 super tiebreak victory in the mixed doubles left Russia needing a clean sweep against the U.S. on Friday.
In later action, Australia lost 2-1 to Slovakia after Alicia Molik quit her singles and decided not to play in the mixed when she had a scare with an old foot injury.
Molik retired leading Daniela Hantuchova 6-3 3-0 when she felt the warning signs. Tournament director Paul McNamee said the player had decided to rest so she would be ready for Saturday's final. However, Lleyton Hewitt continued his winning run this year by beating Karol Kucera 6-2 6-7 6-3. His victory was a third straight win here this week.
Safin's world ranking of 77 - caused by missing the best part of 2003 with a wrist injury - is in no way a reflection of his abilities. The mighty Russian, a former world number one and grand slam champion, belongs in the most rarefied company on the tour.
Whipping his forehand crosscourt for winners and pummelling backhands onto the lines, Safin slowly took command of the contest on Burswood Dome's indoor court. His serve kept Novak guessing throughout and the Russian sealed victory with his 21st and 22nd aces.
Results:
Slovakia beat Australia 2-1
Scores (Slovak names first): Karol Kucera lost to Lleyton Hewitt 2-6 7-6 (10-8) 3-6; Daniela Hantuchova beat Alicia Molik 3-6 0-3 retired; Kucera/Hantuchova beat Hewitt/Molik 6-0 6-0 walkover
Russia beat Czech Republic 2-1
Scores (Russian names first): Marat Safin beat Jiri Novak 6-7 (4-7) 7-6 (8-6) 6-3; Anastasia Myskina beat Barbora Strycova 6-3 7-6 (7-0); Safin/Myskina lost to Novak/Strycova 6-3 6-7 (1-7) 9-11 super tiebreak
Hungary beat Canada 3-0
Scores (Hungarian names first): Petra Mandula beat Maureen Drake 6-7 (2-7) 6-4 6-3; Attila Savolt beat Frank Dancevic 4-6 7-5 10-6 super tiebreak; Savolt/Mandula beat Dancevic/Drake - 6-0 6-0 walkover
HARDCOURT TENNIS
ADELAIDE: Results from the $380,000 Australian men's hardcourt tennis championship:
Second round: Dominik Hrbaty (Slovakia) beat 7-Alberto Martin (Spain) 6-2 6-3; 6-Jarkko Nieminen (Finland) beat Davide Sanguinetti (Italy) 7-6 (7-2) 6-4; Todd Reid (Australia) beat Raemon Sluiter (Netherlands) 6-3 6-2; Cyril Saulnier (France) beat Greg Rusedski (Britain) 6-2 6-2
QATAR OPEN RESULTS
DOHA: Quarterfinal results from the $1 million Qatar Open Tennis Tournament: Nicolas Escude (France) beat Lee Hyung-Taik (South Korea) 6-4, 6-2; Ivan Ljubicic (Croatia) beat 4-Sebastien Grosjean 6-3, 5-7, 6-4 Agustin Calleri (Argentina) beat Jonas Bjorkman (Sweden) 6-4, 6-4; 7-Tim Henman (Britain) beat Sargis Sargsian (Armenia) 6-3 6-1-Reuters