Robredo hands Safin the break with three double faults in his opening service game, including on break point.

Safin leads 2-0.

More good serving by Safin - he's striking the ball sweetly early on in this match, and now leads 3-0.

Robredo serving at 0-3.

15-0 A backhand from Safin lands just long.

15-15 Sloppy inside-out forehand error by Robredo.

30-15 Safin fails to take advantage of a second serve, sending his return past the baseline.

30-30 Robredo tries to go for an angled cross-court backhand but it goes well wide.

40-30 A slice from Safin falls into the net; it was definitely a makeable shot though.

GAME ROBREDO A backhand slice approach by Safin goes just long, and Robredo gets on the scoreboard.

Safin serving at 3-1.

0-15 Safin's forehand rattles into the net.

0-30 A double fault by Safin puts him in a hole on serve...

0-40 Excellent forehand pass by Robredo on the run, and he has 3 break points!

GAME ROBREDO Safin gifts Robredo the game with another double fault, and we're back on serve at 3-2.

Robredo serving at 2-3.

15-0 Good slice serve out wide forces Safin into error.

15-15 A thumping forehand return by Safin gives him the initiative, forcing a forehand error out of Robredo soon afterwards.

15-30 Robredo attempts a difficult backhand down the line, and it goes into the net.

30-30 A slightly mis-hit forehand by Robredo turns into a great angle, and Safin's shot sails long.

40-30 Poor shot selection by Safin; Robredo reaches his drop shot with ease and slots home a backhand winner.

Deuce #1 Robredo hits an inside-out forehand into the net.


STAT: Robredo's first serve percentage is only at 35%.


AD ROBREDO A good serve out wide, and Safin misses the return.

Deuce #2 Robredo hits a forehand long after a short rally.

AD SAFIN Another groundstroke by Robredo lands fractionally long, and Safin has break point.

Deuce #3 Lovely cross-court backhand winner from Robredo.

AD ROBREDO A fast serve by Robredo forces Safin into error.

GAME ROBREDO Robredo seals the game with an ace out wide, and it's 3-3.

Hello LDF..:)

Looks like it's shaping up to be a good match!!

..and the board is busy, isn't it!! 113 members now.. that must be 15 or so people signing up in the last 2 days! :D

Safin serving at 3-3.

15-0 Clinical one-two punch by Safin: flat serve down the T, followed by a forehand winner.

15-15 Safin attempts a jumping backhand, but it goes into the net.

30-15 A forehand by Robredo rattles into the top of the net.

40-15 Nice defence by Robredo, but Safin eventually finishes the point with an easy smash.

GAME SAFIN Good serve out wide by Safin forces Robredo into error, and he re-establishes the lead.

Hey petalp :)

Yeh, the board's really seen a flurry of new members over the last few days :D

Indeed! It's really interesting seeing a few familiar names that I'm used to seeing on the beeb appearing here, along with their avatars.. and it seems that the general response from many of them has been very favourable..

I think that Nick might be enjoying seeing this flurry of activity too! :ok:

Robredo serving at 3-4.

15-0 Safin completely screws up a forehand, and it lands in the bottom of the net.

30-0 Calm smash by Robredo goes for a winner.

30-15 Now it's Robredo's turn for a mis-hit; his backhand flies long.

40-15 Safin's footwork on a backhand was a little lazy, and it landed just past the baseline.

40-30 Excellent backhand return by Safin, and Robredo can barely get his racquet on the ball.

GAME ROBREDO Robredo pressures Safin into error by approaching the net, and it's 4-4.

Oh, nice to hear that Safin is hitting the ball cleanly btw.. The times that I've seen him play this year have made for very frustrating viewing.. he can play the most fantastic shot, and then shank a few.. :( would love to see him play himself back into good, sustained form..

Big serving and some smooth net play help Safin hold to love, and the pressure swings to Robredo who will now serve to stay in the set at 4-5.

Robredo serving at 4-5.

15-0 Wayward forehand by Safin goes wide.

30-0 Good first serve down the T by Robredo, and Safin's forehand return lands long.

30-15 Two sensational forehands by Safin; the first thundered right into the corner, opening up the court for a bullet of a winner.

40-15 Safin challenges incorrectly (his backhand went long).

40-30 Poor forehand by Robredo goes well past the baseline.

GAME ROBREDO I didn't see the point :blush:

5-5...

Safin serving at 5-5.

0-15 Tremendous defensive lob by Robredo, and Safin hits his own backhand long.

0-30 A loose forehand by Safin goes long, and Robredo has an opening at this crucial time...

0-40 Safin double faults to give Robredo 3 break points.

GAME SAFIN Another poor error by Safin gift wraps the break for Robredo.

:yikes:

Excellent start to this game by Safin; two net approaches, two forehand volley winners. 0-30...

Safin lets out a shout of anguish as his backhand slice goes into the net (Robredo had got lucky - he completely shanked a backhand, only for it to land in the corner). Safin then hits a backhand return long, and it's 30-30...

Fine serve out wide by Robredo, and Safin is visibly irritated that he didn't get the return back...

And Robredo seals the first set 7-5 with another good first serve, forcing Safin into error (though he certainly could've got it back).

Great commentary LDF! :ok;

So, a tight-ish first set, with the loose game by Safin being the main difference..

Robredo seems to just be that bit more consistent, from what you've written.. hopefuly Safin can cut down on the loose shots, and take it to 3 sets..

Just checked the ATP scoreboard.. Tommy now 2-1 up in the second set, with a break, but 15-30 on his serve... :blush:

And Marat breaks back!!! 2-2

Hmm, not quite the same doing commentary when everyone else online can see the same scoreboard!! :blush:

That's OK, petalp. It was still useful for me, because I didn't have the live scoreboard up. ;)

Although I may have to look it up now, as no one is updating this thread at the mo . . .

Sorry guys, I'm a little distracted at the moment...

Robredo has two game points to level the second set at 4-4...

Safin manages to save the next point by pressuring Robredo into error, but he gives Robredo the game by hitting a mid-court backhand into the net.

Hey Nick. LDF..:)

No problem LDF, if you've got other stuff going on, then I can just put the odd score in from following it on the ATP site ..

Stats for Safin's backhand:

Winners - 2
UEs - 16

:yikes:

But he has a game point to go 5-4 up in the 2nd set...

Critical game nine . . . Somehow I expect Safin to choke this game away and give Robredo a chance to serve out the match.

Nope, he held :)

:yikes: (Note to Safin.. along with racquet and tennis gear, don't forget to bring your backhand with you to matches..)

:phew:

uh-oh.. critical game 11... :o

Nice play by Safin - deep forehand approach, followed by an emphatic smash...

And a forehand error by Robredo takes Safin to 40-15 :)

Another error by Robredo, this time off the backhand, means Safin holds; Robredo will now serve to stay in the set again at 5-6.

:clap:

Safin challenges a Robredo stroke at 6-5, deuce - and he's correct! Set point to Safin...

And a forehand error by Robredo gives Marat the set :D

Yay!! :D

It's interesting that so many big fans of tennis are so keen to see Safin do well..

..or as Tursunov called him: 'the 2 metre embodiment of female desire' :P

Right, I can give my full attention to the match again :D

Safin serving to start the second set.

15-0 A forehand by Robredo goes wide.

30-0 Attacking play by Safin, but Robredo almost wins the point with a forehand lob that lands inches long.

30-15 A forehand from Safin hit the net cord...but bounces back on his side.

40-15 Robredo fails to take advantage of a second serve and blasts his forehand return long.

GAME SAFIN A hard first serve down the T forces Robredo into error.

Robredo serving at 0-1.

15-0 Safin's attempted lob goes well long...

30-0 Good serve down the T by Robredo, and Safin shanks the return.

30-15 A thunderbolt of a forehand by Safin forces Robredo into error.

40-15 One-two punch by Robredo, going behind Safin with an inside-out forehand winner.

GAME ROBREDO Robredo seals the game with a sweetly-timed forehand winner.

Aggressive play by Robredo takes him to 30-0 on the Safin serve...