By Simon Cambers
NEW YORK, Sept 6 - Former world number one Marat
Safin believes he is on the right track to climb back up the
world rankings despite his defeat by Tommy Haas in the U.S. Open
fourth round on Wednesday.
Safin twice led by a set and was 3-1 up in the deciding
tiebreak but 14th seed Haas held his nerve to beat his practise
partner 4-6 6-3 2-6 6-2 7-6.
"I had my opportunities unfortunately, that's why I'm a
little bit disappointed," the 2000 U.S. Open champion said.
"It should have been even (over in) four sets. Everything
was on my side and suddenly, it just slipped away. In the
tiebreak, two balls that I missed that cost me basically the
match.
"I played pretty well but in important moments I didn't do
anything special and I missed the opportunities."
However, the Russian said he was pleased with his progress
after a difficult year in which his ranking slipped out of the
top 100 for the first time since 1998.
Having returned to the tour in February after six months out
with a left knee injury, Safin has struggled to regain top form
and arrived at the U.S. Open low on confidence.
But after beating fourth seed David Nalbandian in the second
round, he looked close to his best and was only two points away
from a place in the quarter-final.
His ranking is set to rise from 104 to around 75 when the
new list is released on Monday and with the indoor season coming
up -- where Safin is traditionally strong -- his prospects look
bright.
"I didn't think that I would beat anybody coming here. The
way I played the whole summer was terrible. Couldn't beat
basically anybody," Safin said.
"(But) if you look at the big picture ... I beat Nalbandian.
I was just a few points away against Tommy. So, overall, it's
pretty good.
"Right now I'm playing (some) of my best tennis. It was just
two points that made the difference (today). It's a lottery.
Luck was on his side."
Over the past few years, Safin's mental state has been the
key to his form but the Russian said he believed he can get back
towards the top.
"If I continue this way, physically and mentally, I think I
can pull it through," he said.
"Everything's perfect. I'm moving around without any
problems, no pain."