Tennis: Successful return to Tour for Safin

Marat Safin returned to the ATP Tour today after six months out with a career-threatening knee injury to post an outstanding win over world No. 5 Nikolay Davydenko in the first round of the Dubai Open.

The former world No1 from Russia beat his compatriot 4-6 6-2 6-2.

Safin said he felt "lost" at times during the first set, after such a long absence from competition.

In the second game of the second set Safin began timing his ground strokes better and hitting the ball with the raw power that his fans have become accustomed to seeing.

The tall Russian superstar has two grand slam titles to his credit.


Meanwhile, tournament favourite Roger Federer began the defence of his Dubai Open title with a 7-6 6-3 win over Swiss compatriot Stanislas Wawrinka.