Safin ousted by Kiefer in Dubai Opener
(Agencies)
Updated: 2005-02-23 09:11

Marat Safin lost to Nicolas Kiefer of Germany 7-6 (2), 6-4 in the opening round of the Dubai Open on Tuesday, dropping his first match since winning the Australian Open three weeks ago.

Safin looked sluggish and was admittedly uncomfortable against Kiefer.

Marat Safin of Russia returns a backhand to German Nicolas Kiffer during their Dubai Open first-round match. Safin was beaten 7-6 (7/2), 6-4. [AFP]

Kiefer "was playing the kind of game that doesn't give you any sort of rhythm," the second-seeded Russian said. "Chipping and charging, slicing and spinning and changing the power."

In the match of the night, Tim Henman beat Greg Rusedski 4-6, 7-6 (7), 6-4 after saving a match-point in the second set.

Kiefer, the 2000 Dubai champion and a two-time finalist in the United Arab Emirates, earned grudging applause from a capacity crowd, which overwhelmingly supported Safin.

"It is never easy against Marat," Kiefer said. "He is one of the top players in the world and has just won the Australian Open. So yes, I am very happy with my game today.

"I started a bit slowly in the first set but then I started getting my serves in. It is important to serve well against these guys."

Safin said a lack of match practice wasn't to blame.

"If I had played a few more matches, who could have guaranteed that I will win?" he said. "It is just the beginning of the season and there are many tournaments to go."

In other matches, Feliciano Lopez of Spain eliminated Paradorn Srichaphan of Thailand 6-2, 3-6, 6-3 to earn a second-round matchup with American Andre Agassi.

"It is going to be an exciting match," Lopez said. "It's going to be a great match with packed stands and a great atmosphere. It is one of the matches that I have always wanted to play."

Seventh-seeded Mikhail Youzhny beat Thomas Johansson 7-6 (3), 6-1; No. 6 seed Nikolay Davydenko eliminated former Dubai champion Fabrice Santoro of France 6-3, 6-0; and Igor Andreev beat qualifier Marco Chiudnelli of Switzerland 6-3, 7-5.

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