Ouanna Upsets Safin In Thriller

Marat Safin and Josselin Ouanna were involved in quite a shootout in Phiippe Chartrier stadium. After 4 hours 34 minutes, Ouanna won his second ATP match of the year by besting the Russian, who is playing in his final French Open, 7-6(2) 7-6(4) 4-6 3-6 10-8.

Safin started out playing well and was in control of the match. In grand Safin style, he let the Frenchman get back into the set. Ouanna managed to sneak off with the first set in the tiebreak. From there, the Russian went into self-destruction mode and lost the second set.

It looked like he had given up, but Safin persevered and stayed with the Frenchman. In a reversal of fortunes, Safin became more consistent, and Ouanna looked like Safin had worn him down. The Russian was able to win the next two sets.

In the final set, Safin struck first with the break. All the big man had to do was hold on. Ouanna was able to break back and tie the set at 3-3. At 4-5, Safin fought off two match points to even the set at 5-5. The two players raised their level of play, and the match became more exciting. They battled to hold serve, and both players started serving and hitting bigger.

It was nice to see Safin not give up and rise to the occasion. The French neophyte did not shrink under the pressure either and really started hitting bigger and bolder forehands.

In the end, Ouanna had another two match points in game 18. Safin saved one match point, but the Frenchman converted on the next match point after a Safin forehand error.

Ouanna will now meet Fernando Gonzalez from Chile in the third round. The two players have never met in ATP competition. Gonzalez is stealthily cruising through his quarter of the draw, and I think he could cause trouble later in the draw. Ouanna will have his hands full with the Chilean.

(Images: FFT)