'Beast' Levels for Belarus in Savage Contest
Max 'The Beast' Mirnyi has survived a comeback from Marat Safin to put Belarus
level at 1-1 with Russia overnight in Minsk.
Mirnyi won the first two sets 76(3) 76(5), but then the Australian Open
runner-up fought back to level the rubber at two sets all, taking the third
and fourth sets 61 64. However, it was Mirnyi who managed to hold on
- just - to claim the final set 11-9, and the rubber after an epic 4 hours
and 3 minutes.
Earlier, Vladimir Voltchkov had been forced to retire in his match against
Igor Andreev, after injuring his right ankle, handing Russia the first point of
the tie.
After Voltchkov's injury, all Belarusian hopes are now pinned on Max Mirnyi.
In fact, the day’s second clash, between Mirnyi and Marat Safin, was the
central duel of the tie between the leaders of both teams. Marat Safin became
the 2004 Australian Open runner-up last week and confirmed his talent had not
been diminished by his nine-month injury lay-off. Meanwhile Max Mirnyi achieved
the best results in his career last year: 23rd place in the ATP Champions Race
and the end-of year ATP World Doubles No. 1.
Relations between the two men off-court have not always been easy. However, to
tell the truth, it seems this problem is now a thing of the past.
“Now we are in good relations. In Melbourne, I supported Marat and
congratulated him after each winning match,” said Mirnyi.
Despite occasional personality differences, the pair share some common playing
characteristics. Their games are based on powerful serves but Mirnyi plays at
the net more often. Both tennis players are leading exponents of athletic
tennis, so the outcome of their matches often depends on first-serve accuracy.
So it was not surprising when the second rubber between Mirnyi and Safin started
with Mirnyi serving powerfully (average 1st serve speed — 200 km/h!) and if it
was not possible to win a point from the serve he rushed the net and attacked
anything short. Safin placed more emphasis on placement than power with his
serve, although his speed average was still 172 km/h. During the first two sets,
this tactic brought him 16 aces compared to Mirnyi’s 11, and Safin was also
moving Mirnyi round the court well.
However, the outcome of the first two sets was resolved in tiebreaks in which
Mirnyi looked much better, winning them 7-3 and 7-5 respectively. Then Safin
took the initiative, breaking Mirnyi’s serve at the beginning of the third set
and closing it out 61.
By the end of the fourth set Mirnyi was looking tired. In the ninth game, the
Russian broke his opponent’s serve and wasted three set points in the tenth
game, before finally winning the set 64.
Generally speaking, Tarpischev's decision to nominate Safin on day one was
risky. One day before the rubber, Marat was looking frankly sleepy and yawned
during the draw. The reason for it was an 8-hour time difference between
Minsk and Melbourne. Could he survive a fifth set?
In the deciding set both players held serve relatively easily, although Safin
did miss a breakpoint in the ninth game on Mirnyi’s serve. In the 17th game
Safin finished with two aces to hold for 9-8. Then in the 19th, when the score
was 0/30 Mirnyi won four consecutive points to hold for 10-9.
Mirnyi’s breakthrough in this marathon contest came in the 20th game of the
set. A successful advance to the net saw him break Safin’s serve to clinch
the set 11-9 and with it the match.
Safin confirmed afterwards that jet-lag had caused him problems: “It was
difficult for me to begin the rubber because I had not yet adjusted to the time
zone. Besides it is a very fast Taraflex carpet in Minsk and I have trained on
it one day only. During the first two sets it was an equal game but Mirnyi had
more success at the final moments. Then Max’s level dropped, and I got more
used to the court.
“In the very last set, he came out on top. I think tomorrow we will beat the
Belarus pair without Voltchkov and on Sunday we will win the tie.
Mirnyi said: “I expected that Voltchkov would finish his rubber with a victory.
His injury was very unexpected for me. I felt a great responsibility on myself.
“At the beginning of the third set I lost concentration, and Marat
successfully took advantage of it. The longer our match proceeded the more I
felt a great patriotism, which helped me to win this marathon.
“The injury to Volchkov is serious enough. But it is not a crisis, it’s not a
broken bone. Tomorrow I will decide who will play in the pair with Mirnyi,”
said the Belarusian Captain Sergei Teterin.
With the scores level, this World Group first round tie is now sure to be live
on Sunday, but it's the doubles that will take centre stage on Saturday. Play
resumes at 1500 local time (1300 GMT), and live scoring will again be available.
from Daviscup.org
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好個標題~ ouch大果然是預測神準~野獸般的內鬥還有三場呢......"熊"死誰手呢???
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