Safin wins 400th career match in bizarre fashion

Former World No. 1 Marat Safin had just defeated Israeli journeyman Noam Okun, 7-6(5), 3-6, 6-4, in just over two hours on Tuesday in the first round at the ATP Kremlin Cup in Moscow. He is now all geared up for a second round clash with Julien Benneteau of France, who he beat in their only career meeting in 2006 in Bangkok. Just another ordinary day at the office for the Russian tennis great, right? WRONG!

The big deal on Tuesday evening was that after winning the match 6-4 in the final set, Safin headed to his chair and began to towel off, thinking the score was 6-5 and just a little more tennis needed to be played. That’s when distinguished ATP chair umpire Carlos Bernardes informed the Moscow born star that the match was over and that’s when Safin quickly jumped up from his chair and shook hands and shared a laugh with Okun.

While Safin currently ranks No. 8 among active players with at least 400 victories on the ATP Tour, I can assure you that players such as Roger Federer, Andy Roddick and Carlos Moya don’t even remember who or where they earned their 400th career victory. I will bet you that Safin never forgets this victory due to its strange finish! Then again, with Safin’s personality he probably doesn’t even remember convincingly beating Pete Sampras in 2000 to win the US Open.