Safin Downs Misfiring Scud

Marat Safin battered big-serving Mark Philippoussis into submission to move into the second round today.

The Russian triumphed 7-6, 7-6, 6-4 with a clinical performance which suggests he can put his grass-court aversion behind him and mount a serious title challenge to champion Roger Federer.

And Philippoussis was not the only one to collapse under Safin's relentless assault - the net gave way three games into the second set and the match was held up until a replacement arrived.

Safin did not fashion a break point until the crucial seventh game of the third set - but when it came he drove a backhand down Philippoussis' forehand side and finally sapped the remaining fight out of the Australian.

Safin had served resolutely all afternoon and proved unshakeable when it mattered, saving three first set points at 5-4 in the first set and claiming both tie-breaks 7-4.

Former finalist Philippoussis was evidently struggling with an ankle injury which required treatment from the on-court trainer at the end of that first set.

But Safin's composed and powerful performance proved just too good, and will have sent out a timely warning to his rivals that grass is a surface he seems to be able to play on after all.