Safin offers only practice for final

Marat Safin was outclassed by Roger Federer. Photographer: Tom Jenkins Great tennis matches demand high tension, and although there were any number of superlative shots during Roger Federer's 6-3, 7-6, 6-4 semi-final victory against Marat Safin, there was never the slightest feeling of an upset in the making. Indeed for the majority of the match the Russian, the former US and Australian Open champion, mooched around the Centre Court with the air of a man locked in internal torment who did not know from where the next point was coming. Safin famously defeated Federer one electric night in Melbourne three years ago, saving a match point to reach the final of the Australian Open. That was a meeting of colossal tension and drama that left the two players and the crowd drained of all emotion. Yesterday was a stroll in the sun,... [read full story]