Marat Safin v Juan Martin Del Potro

I have to lump on Del Potro from the start in this match. Safin struggled through against Ascione and I believe this is the end of the road for him toady. I would have preferred the 1.27 on offer last night but 1.24 seems fair enough. It really should be a straight sets victory for Del Potro as long as his wrist is OK. If not I may have to bail!

The photo to the right is in honour of the great man who has left us with so many memories, some good, some bad, but there was never a dull moment with Marat on the court. Enjoy you retirement and not a bad way to go losing to the reigning US Open Champion.

Safin had BP at  2*-3 but Del Potro held, and as so often happens missed break point means break in the next game and Del Potro duly obliges to take a 4*-3 lead.

Del Potro serves it out to take the 1st set 6-4.

It's 4-4 in the 2nd set and Marat has been competitive throughout. I just hope we get to see one last racquet smashing before the end! Maybe this service game! C'mon Marat do it it for your fans :-)

There it is the racquet is smashed at  5-5 Deuce! That will be worth a fortune on Ebay!!!

That racquet smashing must have done the job. Safin turn to go from saving a BP to breaking the next game. This time for the set 7-5. Del Potro needs to pull his finger out here or the crowd may whip Safin along!

The first break in the final set goes Del Potro's way to take a 1-2* lead. A long way to go in the set but you'd have to be pretty confident he will see this through now.

Marat saved a MP in the last game I just hope that doesn't mean a break here. Del Potro serving at 4-5*
0-15...15-15 ... 30-15 ... 40-15 ... GSM

Del Potro Wins 6-4 5-7 6-4
Profit: £4.43

Thanks for the memories Retire In Peace

Denis Istomin v Marat Safin

0-6 4-4 Istomin to serve. We WILL have a break now!!!
15-40!! c'mon Marat this is YOUR tournament!! YOUR last hurrah!!
30-40 And denis Istomin is not going to stand in your way of a glorious swansong!!

Break!!

4-5* Marat to serve it out!! I wish I'd got the 1.40 but this and the Melzer win adds up to more :)
BP!! Istomin you fool!! And break :o They will not allow this!!
5*-5 Break again then Marat!!
BP!!! Take ITTTT!!!! Saved. I hope Istomin knows what he's doing here!
BP#2 This time!!! Saved :( Istomin may have to arrange to take a holiday to a far away isolated place if he stuffs this one up!!
BP#3 I see he's just adding drama :-) Saved with an ace! Surely meant to miss! GP :(
6-5* WTF is this? Istomin is treading on very this ice here I feel. Does he not know this is Marat's tournament? Crazy fool! LOL

That's it Marat get your DF out of your system at 40-0 so it doesn't appear in the TB... good thinking! (those are two words you don't often hear muttered about Safin LOL)

Tie break it is then!
1-0** c'mon 2 holds
1-1* One more
1**-2 Now the MB's and win 7-2
2*-2 At least one then!
3-2** hmmm c'mon Marat
3-3* Ace!! Let's have another!!
3**-4 This is where he makes his move!!
3*-5 Whoop ... there it is!! Shout it louder!!
4-5** Serve it out then Safin!!
4-6* Two MP's
Yesss!!!!!

Safin Wins 6-0 7-6(4)

Profit: £145.94

Marat Safin v Richard Gasquet

The score is 7-6 4-3* Gasquet about to serve when I get on. C'mon the break!!

Back Marat Safin 1.38 £258.24 £98.13
Ref: 9305419013 Bet matched:19:09 28-Oct-09


30-40 Take IT!!!!! Saved.
4*-4 :( Hold now then Safin and make Gasquet have to serve to stay in the match!!
5-4* Nice hold from 0-15! Now for a break for GSM then!!
3 Match Points!!! 1 Saved. GSM!!

Safin Wins 7-6(5) 6-4
Profit: £94.01

Bet 15 - Nikolay Davydenko v Marat Safin

Ok final set 0*-1 Davy to serve. Potentially Safin's last match or a nice rest up for Davy! I'm backing the nice rest up for Davy :)

Lay Nikolay Davydenko 1.8 £9.25 £16.65 £7.40
Ref: 9240473483 Bet matched: 16:38 21-Oct-09
1.8 £45.00 £81.00 £36.00
Ref: 9240473483 Bet matched: 16:38 21-Oct-09

C'mon the break!!!
1-1* Had 15-30 but Davy holds from there :( Now hold Safin please!!!
1*-2 Now would be an excellent time for a break please Marat :)
0-15 C'mon!!
0-30!! Oi Oi!!!
0-40 Oi Oi Oi!!!!
15-40 1 saved :( c'mon take it!!

BREAK!!!!

And out £32.89 on each :)

Lay Marat Safin 1.28 £29.67 £37.98 £8.31
Ref: 9240638071 Bet matched: 16:52 21-Oct-09
1.28 £2.41 £3.08 £0.67
Ref: 9240638071 Bet matched: 16:52 21-Oct-09
1.28 £44.21 £56.59 £12.38
Ref: 9240638071 Bet matched: 16:52 21-Oct-09

Safin Wins 4-6 6-4 6-2
Profit £31.28

Challenge Overview