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Safin learning to love grass
Marat Safin, who rates Wimbledon as his least favourite surface, moved onto the second round with an easy win over Thailand's Paradorn Srichaphan.
Marat Safin is still a major player in the 'grass is for cows' club, but the Russian admits he could be tempted to turn in his membership card.
The fifth seed, who rates the green grass of Wimbledon as his least favourite surface, eased into the second round with a 6-2, 6-4, 6-4 win over Thailand's Paradorn Srichaphan on Monday.
He believes he is playing his best tennis since clinching the Australian Open in January and that the improvement has coincided with the short grasscourt season.
The 25-year-old was runner-up to world number one Roger Federer in Halle last week and has arrived at Wimbledon looking to improve on his best performance here - a quarter-final spot in 2001.
"Now I have the confidence, now I need to hold it, hold these feelings for a long time because it looks like I have found my game and the confidence which had been missing for six months," said Safin.
"Now I have found it, I don't want to lose it again."
After taking his second Grand Slam title in Australia in January, Safin's season went into a tailspin as he struggled to put together back-to-back wins.
A run to the fourth round at the French Open stemmed the slide with his performance at Halle adding fire to his renewed enthusiasm.
His new liking for grass has also been aided by the presence of Peter Lundgren, who coached Federer to his first Wimbledon title in 2003.
"I have been working with Peter and he has tried to improve my volley, tried to make me more aggressive," said Safin.
"He gave me the support I needed. After Australia, everyone was expecting miracles and the results weren't coming. So he was there and told me the opportunities will come and I will play well again."
"The tournament in Halle helped me a lot because it's really important to get to Wimbledon with something behind you, some good results. Without the confidence it's difficult to play good tennis and be comfortable."
"If I didn't make anything great at Halle, then I would not play. But I had some good results, so I thought why not try?"
Safin endured a nightmare visit to Wimbledon in 2004.
A first round loss to compatriot Dimtry Tursunov sparked him into an angry tirade where he said he hated grass and that he would never return.
The following day, an apology was issued. Twelve months on, Safin has other concerns.
He is carrying a serious knee injury which will require a month's rest after his tournament comes to an end - the injury will be fully tested in the next round where he faces Australia's 2003 runner-up Mark Philippoussis.
"He's going to be tough for the second round," he said although history is on his side.
Philippoussis won their first meeting in 1999, but Safin has won their last four encounters.
