韓娃到了Hopman cup嚕...
Government honour for Safin delays Russia’s Hopman Cup debut
PERTH: An undeclinable banquet invitation tonight from his country's parliament
will delay Russian Marat Safin's start at the Hopman Cup team's event this
weekend.
The world number four from Moscow will be honoured for his sporting achievements
at a New Year's eve dinner, timing which conflicts with tomorrow's start of the
eight-nation competition half a world away.
With Russia, also featuring French Open champion Anastasia Myskina, the top
seed, an arrangement was quickly arranged after Safin was informed of his award
only a few days ago.
To allow Safin time to accept the honour and make a flight, Russia's opening
tie against Italy – women's and men's singles plus a concluding mixed doubles
– will be delayed from Sunday morning until Monday night.
That kind of flexible timing will allow the 24-year-old to be all things to all
people.
Hopman organisers were loathe to lose any more draw cards at the last minute
after the pullout this week of women's world number 1 Lindsay Davenport, who
suffered a knee injury during an exhibition event in the US.
Davenport, who has hinted at retirement at age 28, was replaced in the field by
Meghann Shaughnessy, who will partner with James Blake.
Safin, now standing fourth in the world behind Roger Federer, Andy Roddick and
Lleyton Hewitt, has re-established himself as a force in the game after
starting 2004 at 89th after a wrist problem.
And Big Red has no complaints about how he ended the campaign in November.
“Compared to where I was and where I am right now, it's like it's 85 spots I
improve.
“The main goal to get back to the Top 10. I made even Top 5.”
Other players arrived in Perth yesterday, with tomorrow's to be a start a
playoff for eighth position in the field between Holland, featuring Michael
Krajicek, 15-year-old half-sister of 1996 Wimbledon winner Richard, and Peter
Wessels.
They will play a tie against the Zimbabwe sibling act of Cara and Wayne Black,
with the winner going into the round-robin draw.
Daniela Hantuchova of Slovakia, teaming with Dominik Hrbaty, landed in Perth
yesterday after a flight from Europe on the same flight as Lucy Hopman wife
of the iconic tennis coach Harry Hopman for whom the competition is named.
South American will be represented by Gisela Dulko and Roland Garros finalist
Guillermo Coria, who missed much of the second half of the season with injury.
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