Russia downed as Safin slumps
(Agencies)
Updated: 2005-01-04 10:03

Top seeds Russia were shocked by unseeded Germany at the Hopman Cup in Perth on Monday.

The Germans sprang the biggest surprise of the tournament so far when they edged out the Russian pairing of Marat Safin and Anastasia Myskina 2-1.

The Russians took an early lead in the tie after French Open winner Myskina cruised past 19-year-old German Anna-Lena Groenefeld 6-3, 6-3 but their hopes sank when the powerful Marat Safin crashed 6-3, 3-6, 6-1 to the talented Tommy Haas in the men's singles.

The outcome was decided by a special tie-break in the mixed doubles after the teams had split a set apiece.

The Germans, aided by a sparkling performance from Groenefeld, finally outlasted their tiring opponents to claim the doubles rubber 7-5, 1-6 (10/6).

Tommy Haas of Germany hits a backhand return against Marat Safin of Russia during their men's singles match in the Hopman Cup at the Burswood Dome in Perth. Haas won 6-3, 3-6, 6-1. [AFP]

Former world number two Haas, who is slowly returning to his best form after major shoulder surgery in December 2002 which sidelined him for 15 months, had set up the German victory with a win over Safin.

"He was too good today - I made him a lot of presents for Christmas," Safin, who made 42 unforced errors, joked.

"He is playing really good tennis and I hope he can keep it up this year - all the best because he was injured for a long time."

But Safin, who only arrived in Perth 24 hours earlier after receiving an award in Moscow on New Year's eve, was clearly jaded in the third set.

"It's a good excuse actually," he laughed.

"I tried my best but he was much stronger than me. I almost fell down a couple of times, I had no power but I was fighting."

Haas, now ranked 17 in the world, said he had lost concentration in the second set and began to struggle as Safin's big serve kicked in.

"I played a few loose points and he came up with some big points ... he served pretty damned good," he said.

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