Safin makes it through

General / Editor / 27 May 2007 / Leave a Comment

Marat Safin is the first big name through to the second round of the French Open, after victory over Fernando Vicente.

The Russian ace took just one hour and 25 minutes to dispose of his Spanish opponent, winning in straight sets 6-1 6-3 6-1.

Two-time Grand Slam winner Safin, seeded 22 at Roland Garros, served eight aces in his opening success but punters will have noted that he also made an alarming 30 unforced errors.

The 27-year-old has not won an ATP Tour event since winning the Australian Open in 2005 and his best display at the French Open came in 2002 - when he was beaten in the semi-finals by Juan Carlos Ferrero.

But his comfortable success on Sunday will provide him with some much needed confidence, ahead of a second round clash with either Janko Tipsarevic or Dusan Vernic.

Safin is 170 to win the second Grand Slam event of the year, meanwhile 2.2 is on offer for punters who believe there will be a new winner at Roland Garros in 2007.