MADRID (AFP) - Marat Safin sent over 14 aces and devastated David Nalbandian with six breaks of serve to win his second career trophy in Spain with a title at the 2.425-million-euro Madrid Masters.
Four years after lifting the Barcelona title on clay, Safin crushed Argentine fourth seed Nalbandian 6-2, 6-4, 6-3, to win another event in Spain.
It was the 13th title of the Russian's career and second in a month after Beijing in September.
"It's been an incredible year, I was 89 in the rankings when I played in Australia (final against Roger Federer)," said Safin, who has vaulted past Tim Henman to sixth place in the race of the season-ending Masters Cup.
"I was injured for six months last year, to win matches after that was a surprise. After I started playing as I should (last month in Asia), it became a bit more regular."
Nalbandian saved a match point late in the third set, but bowed a game later to the Safin superiority with a limp return into the net.
Safin, who won the U.S. Open in 2000 but has had a roller-coaster ride of a career, called his year "a great one."
"I'm looking forward to being among the eight best players (for the Masters Cup from November 15)."
Third seed Safin never looked in doubt as he left the Argentine 0-3 in career Masters Series finals. "It was easier than I expected," said the Russian. "He had easy matches here, maybe he got used to that.
"I was 4-1 (career) up against him, so he respects me. He was trying to improve, but he missed the small chances he has. He was afraid of achieving the break, for instance," he said of the two break points he saved against the South American.
Safin improved to 43 wins, 20 defeats this season with two more regular weeks to play, including a concluding Masters Series in Paris from November 1 which he has won twice.
"It's great, it's great for me to be able to get back to the Masters, find my game. I can be pretty confident for the next two weeks," Safin said before travelling for a home event next week in St. Petersburg.
"The way I'm playing, I think I can achieve a little bit more and I can get a little bit closer to the Masters Cup. I want to get higher in the rankings, that's what I'm looking for."
10/24/2004 - 20:21 GMT - AFP