Marat Safin sails through debut match on Champions Tour – Chengdu Open 2011
Former world number one and Russian, Marat Safin sailed through his debut match on the ATP Champions Tour on Thursday, 27th October. Retired in 2009, Safin returned to the courts two years later as he made his debut
on the ATP Champions Tour in Chengdu, China.
Part of eight tennis stars, Old Ones, competing at the Chengdu Open in China, Safin is vying for his first title on the Champions Tour. Sixth event on tour, the Old Ones are competing in two groups of four following the round robin
format. Joining Safin in his group is the American legend Pete Sampras, Wayne Ferreira and Younes El Aynaoui.
Opening play for the day was Safin as he took on the former world number six, Ferreira from South Africa. The two met in a very easy competition with Safin hardly facing any challenge. Pitting a former world number six against
the marvel that is Marat Safin, the result was pretty evident from the get go. As expected, the Russian sailed through his match with much ease. Taking a little over an hour, the Russian scored a simple straight sets 6-2, 6-3 win over the South African. Clinching
two breakpoints in the first set and then one in the second, Safin was able to win his first round robin match of the event going 1-0 in the group while Ferreira trailed behind with a 0-1.
Safin will next play Moroccan legend, El Aynaoui in his second round robin match on Friday, 28th October.
Also winning his match in the day was the former world number one, Thomas Enqvist from Australia. The Aussie is joined by Paradorn Srichapan, compatriot Mark Philippoussis and Carlos Moya in the second group.
Enqvist opened play against Thai Srichapan. With almost the same ease as Safin, Enqvist was able to cruise through his match as he recorded a twin set score victory of 6-3, 6-3 over the Thai star. Enqvist plays his second match
of the event on Friday against compatriot Philippoussis.
As these two wrapped up the afternoon session of the event, opening the evening session will be Moya playing Philippoussis followed by Sampras taking on Ayanoui.
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