By Simon Baskett
BARCELONA, April 20 - World number three Marat
Safin has admitted facing a crisis of confidence after being
dumped out of the Barcelona Open by Argentine Jose Acasuso on
Wednesday.
The Russian, who started the year by winning the Australian
Open, has lost form in recent months, losing to Juan Carlos
Ferrero in Monte Carlo last week and suffering a surprise 6-4
6-4 defeat in his first match in Barcelona.
"I've had a poor two months after Australia and it's very
frustrating to be in this position," said the 25-year-old.
"I've gradually lost all my confidence and that is why I
lost today. My opponents know that I'm struggling and they
obviously take advantage.
"I'm feeling a combination of frustration and pressure. I
want to come back as fast as possible especially with the
tournaments in Rome and Hamburg coming up, but there's no
strategy to solve the problem it's just a question of running
hard, fighting and waiting for my opportunity."
Acasuso, who beat Safin in their only previous meeting in
the World Team Cup in Germany in 2002, edged the first set and
made the crucial breakthrough in the fifth game of the second
when he came to the net to earn a third break point.
Safin, a winner in Barcelona in 2000 and finalist in 2003,
lost the game to trail 3-2 and began to lose his temper as he
struggled to cope with Acasuso's heavy ground strokes and the
partisan crowd got on his back.
The Argentine set up three match points when he caught Safin
out with a delicate drop shot and won the match after the
Russian netted a backhand return.
"He surprised me a little," Safin said. "He was lucky on a
lot of points, but was very solid, he served quite well and made
no serious errors."
The Russian was also forthright in his comments about the
reception he received from the Barcelona crowd.
"I wasn't angry with the crowd, they were angry with me. But
if they don't like what I do then I won't come, the tournament
can save some money and I can save some time and everyone will
be happy."
Despite his evident frustration, however, Safin remained
philosophical about recovering his form before next month's
French Open.
"It's only a sport, so I don't want to get carried away
about it," he said. "But it's clear that no one likes to be in
this position. I'm experiencing a low at the moment, but it can
only get better -- when is the question though.
"If I continue fighting my opportunity will come and I'm
sure that will be before French Open. Maybe I just need that
little bit of luck to give me that extra push."