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 Gonzalez, Safin attempt to right shipsContinued
Another talented player, Marat Safin, continues his perennial struggle to get his game back on track. He’s brought in a new coach, Hernan Gumy of Argentina, to guide him in an upcoming slate of hard-court tournaments, his favorite surface. “For me I feel that this summer is crucial for my career and I am determined to do something,” Safin said. “I need to do something with my game to make sure I get back where I want to be – in the Top 10. So I know I need to get fitter and Miguel Maseo will be there as my fitness trainer. And with a new coach I feel that I can bring something more to my game.” The hiring of Gumy, who was once ranked as high as No. 39, is interesting on several levels. One, as a player, Gumy was a fighter. He treated every match he played like a blood feud. Not blessed with the raw talent of so many others, Gumy had to work and scrape and earn everything. Gumy never took a match off, let alone a point. If he can get that mindset to permeate Safin’s wandering mind, Gumy will have earned his keep. Second, Gumy was always in phenomenal shape. His size, strength and conditioning were always an intimidating factor for those across the net. Gumy was one of the few players who looked like he could put on pads and go play strong safety for the Oakland Raiders. Safin knows he no longer possesses the intimidation factor that he once did. Getting stronger and in better shape will help him regain that swagger. Also intriguing is that on a man-to-man level, Gumy’s size is something to be reckoned with. One tends to have a bit more respect for someone who is bigger and stronger than you are, as is the case here. In other words, it seems that Safin will have a tendency to listen to a man who potentially could give the Russian a beat down at any moment. Seeded third in LA, Safin stumbled into the quarterfinals in typical fashion, struggling past both No. 88 Chris Guccione and qualifier George Bastl. Wednesday evening against Bastl, Gumy had to be questioning his most recent career choice as he watched his player roll through the first set, get rolled in the second, then survive the third in excruciating fashion, 6-2, 2-6, 6-4. After getting overpowered in the first set, Bastl shifted gears and began hitting the ball with more power and depth. It took Safin about a set and a half to adjust, finally breaking Bastl at 3-3 in the third. Then, almost predictably, serving at 4-3, Safin fell behind triple break point. At this point, the Argentinean coach was reminded why he took this job: at 0-40, a 30-ball rally ended with Safin hitting a touch, half-volley drop shot winner off a tough passing shot; at 15-40, a second-serve ace; at 30-40, Safin came in and knifed a volley winner; at deuce, Bastl charged the net and Safin hit a running topspin winner. The Russian eventually held, then held serve a final time to close out the match. Time will tell if this coaching relationship will be successful. For Safin’s sake, things need to be turned around quickly. He’s 27-years-old, is saddled with a bum knee and has only reached one semifinal this year in Las Vegas. He’ll face Hyung-Taik Lee in the quarters. The other quarters are set: James Blake will take on one guy he clearly doesn’t like, fellow author Vince Spadea; Fleishman will play Radek Stepanek and Michael Berrer and Nicolas Kiefer will also face off. © TennisReporters.net 2007
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