Tennis: Safin claims Madrid title

Third seed Marat Safin demolished David Nalbandian of Argentina in straight sets to win the Masters Series title in Madrid in under two hours.
Safin collected his second title of the year via a 6-2 6-4 6-3 victory as the 2002 Wimbledon finalist was unable to cope with the Russian's powerful ground strokes.

The first set lasted just 29 minutes as Safin snapped a run of three consecutive broken service games to take the fifth game and eventually the set.

The fourth seeded South American gained an early break in the second set but Safin levelled matters in the sixth game and Nalbandian failed to hold his own serve at 4-5 to hand the world number nine complete control of the match.

The indoor courts of Madrid suited Safin's power game and he coasted through the third after an early break to complete victory in just 112 minutes and virtually seal his place in the Masters Cup in Houston.

It was Safin's fifth victory in six matches between the players and came off the back of an oustanding display against Andre Agassi in the semi-finals.

Skysports