[Ace Tracker]

"I'm glad I won in two sets as I'm going to play every week until the end of season because I want to finish the year as the world number one." **

**World number three Safin after beating French teenager Richard Gasquet 6-4 7-6 to reach the second round of the Lyon Grand Prix.

 

[luvbadboys]

HELL YEAH

I read that to on another site.

Finally!!! I can't wait for a real fight to the finish between my favorite bad boys. The've played 6 times, they're tied at 3 wins each and each of their matches have gone the distance. I love it when Marat goes into fighting mode.

Bring it on boys and let's get ready to rumble!

 

[Scotso]

lmao.

dream on Marat.

 

[Jackie]

GoLleyt, I totally agree. Even if Lleyton doesn't finish as #1 (which is unlikely to happen @ this stage), it would be Agassi, not Safin

 

[Jessi]

Look, he just said he wants to and he is going to try. what is so funny about that? There are still 3 big tournaments left (Madrid, Paris, Masters Cup) and alot of points up for grabs. Anything can happen between now and then..

 

[Jackie]

Well he better get to work!

1st Hewitt, L. (AUS ) 1 100 45 1 7 25 30 200 1 70 90 - - 127 (8) - 697

2nd Agassi, A. (USA ) - 1 100 - 100 - 50 7 - 25 140 - - 131 (15) - 554

3rd Safin, M. (RUS ) 140 15 25 25 7 70 90 7 25 1 7 - - 48 (3) - 460

 

[luvbadboys]

No need to be condescending guys. What I'm celebrating is Marat's fighting spirit. and we all know Lleyton knows how to fight for matches. So how can you not get excited when the two most exciting most emotional players on the tour decide to give it their all? The matches will be electric!

It's pretty obvious that it will be very hard to dislodge Lleyton from the #1 position but a hungry and confident Marat is a spectacular Marat not to be taken lightly.
The only problem with his decision to play every week is that he is leaving himself open to fatigue and/or a higher risk of injury.

Anyway, I hope they get to meet in the semis or the finals of Madrid/Paris.

Like I said before: BRING ON THE EXCITING MATCHES!!!
-Marat vs Lleyton
-Marat vs. Andre
-Lleyton vs Andre

 

[Chloe le Bopper]

It is just a shame that Marat, hewitt and Andre can't all be in the same group in Shanghai

That was one of the people I like would be able to make the finals out of the other group

 

[Chloe le Bopper]

Its worth noting that Marat isn't even a safe number 3.

I'm not counting out him getting on a hot streak, and I admire him stating what he wants.

But if I'm not wrong, anyone in the top 10 practically are in reach of him no?

At the very last all the Spaniards are (can't you jsut see Costa winning an indoor masters series)

 

[Jackie]

No need to be condescending guys.

Sorry, I was just being a smart-arse

 

[jrm]

highly unlikely but i am all for it

 

[J. Corwin]

At least Marat sets a positive goal for himself.

 

[cheliste]

That's the spirit Marat! Go end the year on a positive note. Rack up more points!

 

[Experimentee]

So what does Marat need to do to end the year #1?

 

[KFS]

Lovely to see Marat sets up a goal and gets his fighting spirits back to work on it!!!

That's the way, Marat!!!

 

[Vera]

I think it's great news that Marat's getting his fighting spirit up. It can only mean more great tennis to come. So regardless of whether he'll be able to do that, at least he's trying hard. Good Luck, Marat.

 

[Chloe le Bopper]

SO if we WERE to end up with a slamess number one, would we fight about it all off season?

a slamess number one? how about a titless one?

 

[luvbadboys]

Well Lleyton is sick. Again. So he's out of Madrid and Marat has a wonderful opportunity to catch up with a win in Madrid.

Also I would love for Marat to have a serious go at the #1 spot but I don't know how I would feel if he actualy gets it. I mean a #1 with only 1 title???? That would just prove all the critics right about how screwed up men's tennis is.

OK to all the conspiracy theorists out there!

Conspiracy theory #1)how many of you think that Lleyton in his continuing his battle with the ATP and is trying to stick it to them by withdrawing?

Conspiracy Theory#2) How many of you think he withdrew just to be with Kim and help her improve her ranking?

Conspiracy#3) Lleyton knows he plays best when he is under pressure. Is this a subconscious attempt to allow Andre and Marat to catch up so that he has to bring his best sharpest weapons in Shanghai thereby making it easier for him? After all The Shanghai crowd is not likely to give him the negative/hostile feedback he thrives on.

For the record: I DO NOT BELIEVE ANY OF THIS but my friend thinks that there has to be another reason for the "illness". He is a big conspiracy buff however so I usually don't pay him any mind.

 

[Sophie]

Okay, I am not slamming Marat, I would love to see him get his head on straight and play to his potential, but this is a goal almost guaranteed to fail. What will it do to his ego to set this goal and end up at #2 again? Isn't he about 230 points behind Hewitt?

Also, for you conspiracy theorists, maybe Hewitt really is sick, but it is really food poisoning

 

[Jackie]

Theory #4 Lleyton is really sick. He has been sick a lot this year. The chicken pox must have affected his immune system or something