Marat Safin Forum

Natasha, good afternoon.Say please, when will you order tickets?ß I live in Israel and also want to get on a match to support our Russian team))

He says he is trying to keep his body into shape and that means working out, so I think that was probably a misprint or a misquote. There were other mistakes in that interview.

Hi, Agava!
I'm not going to Israel - though I wish I did - I have my dad's family there...

I hope you have fun cheering for our guys ! If you have questions about tickets, PM me..

Here are some highlights from what Tarpishev said on championat.ru about pairing Marat & Dima for doubles:

"My desicion was absolutely justified, because everyone remembers how in 2006 Marat & Dima beat Argentine with in-very-good-form Nalbandian. Then, they did not play together for a while, but we will need good pair to play in a future, for example in quarter-final against Israel. So, we considered not only the result, but the situation that will play out in a future.."

"Our players are much higher level players, and had to win easier, but they lost, because they could't return their serve. The surface was very fast with a low ball bounce.."

"Israel players can win 5-set matches, and I remember their scandal crowd at Fed Cup. The tie after Wimbledon will not be easy - change of surface, very hot & crazy humidity. So, we'll have to prepare very seriously, and it's hard to predict who will be in a good form at that time.."

So, Tarpishev is already thinking about next round..

Thanks Tasha!!!!!!!!!

Hey, everybody!
I know I'm a bit late.. but as I explained in the other thread (about the closing of the site) I was not able to log onto the forum even and couldn't report you my experience at the davis Cup on time. And now we are looking all towards Indian Wells but I will say just a few sentences..

As I live in Ruse, Bulgaria, Sibiu was about 340km north from my home town. Till the last moment we weren't sure whether to go or not. However, my parents are cool and Thursday evening we decided to go and see what happens. 11 o'clock. We are in front of Sala Transilvania.. not many people there but enough. I have butterflies in my stomach.. my body is shaking - am I going to see my faves?
And yes.. we found tickets for the three days and here we are - inside tha hall, sitting just a few meters from the teams ( our seats were just behind the Romanian team but soon we moved behind the Russian - to level the things) And there it all began. I saw my favourite players.. and my most favourite one standing right in front of me. Actually, I coudn't believe what happened.. and still can't =) There was Marat.. the tallest one of them (not surprisingly actually).
And after a few minutes he was playing against the Romanian guy. A bit close match in the first set.. but after that Marat showed who is the master of the court at that time. I suppose many of you have seen the match so I won't go into more details.
After that it was Misha. It was good match to watch but Misha was definitely better and finished it fast. And this was day one.. after the matches, we waited for Marat and I took his autograph =) half of my plan was done =)

Day two
As I didn't have the chance to use the Internet I wasn't sure what Tarpischev decided to play doubles.. and I was a bit surprised to see Dima.. partnering Marat. However, I was very happy because I could see Marat playing again. Just before the match started my dad went right behind the Russian team and gave them a list with the Davis cup logo 9which I had printed at home) to sign. It was funny actually because I wanted the signatures of everybody not only the players and they were a bit surprised and seemed to laugh. It was funny.. but now I have a whole sheet of paper signed =)) So, about the match.. The first two sets the Russian boys didn't have any problems. They were definitely better than their opponents. However, I think that they considered the match won.. and that's why they began playing not so concentrated.. they even laughed, Marat seemed to shout something at Dima to encourage him or something.. they were really cute.. and lost the match.. anyway, it wasn't so scary because the Russians were the favourites for the next - day singles. After the match we again waited for Marat.. about an hour and a half... Meanwhile, I managed to take a picture with Misha, Teimuraz and to see them and the other boys playing football.. And finally, Marat and Tarpischev came out. I took a pic with Shamil but Marat had decided to go directly to his car.. I thought that I couldn't miss him and shouted at him whether I can take a pic with hilm as well. He stopped and said "Oh.. of course" Then smiled.. and.. actually , it was so cool.. and it was a dream came true for me.. Standing next to Marat.. taking a picture with him.. shouting at him

Day three
We were at the Hall a bit earlier and could catch the Misha-Gabashvili training which Marat was watching too. Then the next surprise came - DIMA against Hanescu. Ok, it was meant to be Marat I think, but I was sure Tarpischev had onemore surprise. And I think he regreted letting Tursunov play for a few times in the first two sets but then Dima showed his real game and won the next three sets without a single doubt. A very tensive, interesting, long match - definitely the best for a deciding rubber. And naturally, the spectators were all so sad after their loss especially after the doubles win and the first two sets of Hanescu.. but.. the Russians were favourites from the very beginning.

As it was Sunday afternoon and we had as I said about 350km to travel.. we coudn't watch the last match but read that Gabashvili did a great job too. =)

I hope my post wasn't very boring but I just needed to share "my-dream-came-true" report. After all it was my first time seeing Marat play live.. and maybe my last.. so I am still shocked, very happy and very willing to see him just one more time =))

Thanks for reading,
hugs

Maria

Maria, are you kidding me - boring ? Not at all! thank you very much for sharing your experience with us !

I want to ask you something - did Marat watch Dima's match? because I watched it live on computer, and did not see him...

I thought Marat would support Dima who "took" his place though Dima played for almost 5 hours like Marat the day before ...just wondering maybe Marat was so nervous he was hiding somewhere..

Thanks very much for reading, Natasha! I'm glad you liked my report.

Well, Marat was there at the beginning of the match. But he left after the first set or just before it ended actually. And he didn't show up till the end. Misha left even earlier then Gabashvili. I suppose they went out to prepare for the next match as Dima's match wasn't going very well. As for Marat, I don't have any idea where he went..

Maria,

thanks for your report! After reading it seems I was there too=)))

Could you post here some pics, please?

Thanks for your report Maria! Come on girl..you are not boring! Everything you have to tell is exciting and interesting for me !
I am glad that your dream comes true!
Thats cool!
I hope to see the pics which you´ve made??

Here are some pics.. They are not perfect but they'll do.. =)

Maria,
thank you for the pics! they are really awesome!!!

I read on gotennis.ru that Tarpishev just confirmed the team for Qtr-Final against Israel

Marat Safin
Dmitry Tursunov
Igor Andreev
Mikhail Youzhny

Good good news!!!

Marat always excels when playing for his country!!

YAY! I'm glad he's playing!!