did you guys see the match?

I thought it was a very good match, high quality stuff from both. Gonzo was very consistent all through the match, despite the second breadstick, made some fantastic cross court passings off the forhand.

Safin, what can I say about Safin! He played beautifully during the second- shot of the set in my opinion a fab smash volleyball style! Then he slipped of course and started giving break points and eventually the match. Typical really- constructs the points so nicely and then gives them away.

It was so good to see him though! Last time was last years FO (only have eurosport). Did the same thing as against Robredo- sending the ball in gonzo's hit zone when the court is empty. :doh:

Also hit some awful dropshots- he didn't even hit one of them right! Read in the bbc that he hangs around Shazza! maybe that's way roflmao roflmao

comments?

Yeah, I would agree that Gonzo was very consistent, and played quite a controlled match. He always had that little bit more than Marat.

I was quite disappointed with Marat. True, he did show flashes of the talent that he had, but just seemed to be his own worst enemy far too often. It is frustrating to watch as you know that on his day he can beat anyone.

Had he been playing a few lower-ranked players early in the tournament then he could have become more match-sharp, and more prepared for a match-up like this. The problem was that he was unseeded, so had to rely on a kind draw. It's a shame as I could see a Gonz-Safin match as a quarter final in a Slam, and definitely not a first round one.

right petalp.
I think it's difficult to come back on clay after an injury lay-off let alone win against a player like gonzalez in the first round. tough luck- actually for both of them since gonzo went out in the next!

alas, disappointment goes with the territory! :P