Safin takes out Berdych

2008-05-14 14:05

Hamburg - Former world number one Marat Safin continued his comeback with a straight-sets win over ninth-seed Tomas Berdych in the second round of the Hamburg Masters Series on Wednesday.

Safin has plummeted down the rankings to 89th after suffering a series of injuries and had to qualify for the main draw, but hit four aces on his way to knocking out Berdych, 11th in the world, 7-5 6-4 in 90 minutes.

The 28-year-old Russian, who was runner-up here in 2000 and 2002, is now on course to meet Carlos Moya in the 3rd round if the Spaniard beats Germany's Oliver Rochus in his second round match.

Argentinian Juan Monaco is also in the third round after the 12th seed breezed past Italy's Simone Bolelli 6-2 6-1.

He will play another Italian in the third round when he faces Andreas Seppi who removed French number one and eighth seed Richard Gasquet on Tuesday.

- AFP