Sampras' heir? Apparently
By TONY MARASCHIELLO -- Toronto Sun
Toronto tennis fans didn't get to see Pete Sampras in yesterday's Tennis Masters Series-Canada final.
But they just might have seen the next Pete Sampras.
Marat Safin, a 20-year-old Russian bomber, showed why many believe he's destined for greatness when Sampras, who turns 29 in five days, eventually hangs up his racquet.
The eighth-seeded Safin, who ousted Sampras during the quarter-finals, used an arsenal of booming serves and powerful groundstrokes to overwhelm unseeded Harel Levy of Israel, 6-2, 6-3, before a capacity crowd of 10,000 at the National Tennis Centre.
Safin saved his best shot for last, firing a service winner clocked at 208 km/h for match point.
"My serve is an important part of game," said the 6-foot-4 Safin, who claimed his first major ATP Tour title and a $400,000 US paycheque. "It makes things much easier for me. And your opponent is always under pressure."
Sampras, after losing Friday night, acknowledged that Safin has what it takes to be the world's No. 1 player one day.
However, Safin was careful yesterday not to overstate his potential.
"I just hope I finish in the top five this year," Safin said. "To be No. 1, I'm going to need a little bit of time. Maybe when Pete and Andre (Agassi) are gone, maybe I have a chance. But I also have to fight young guys like (Gustavo) Kuerten and (Magnus) Norman."
Safin becomes the second-youngest winner of the Canadian event. American Michael Chang won as an 18-year-old in 1990.
Yesterday's doubles final was won by Olympic partners Daniel Nestor of Toronto and Sebastien Lareau of Boucherville, Que., who downed the Australian team of Josh Eagle and Andrew Florent, 6-3, 7-6 (7-3).
Safin's first serve consistently hovered in the 190-200 km/h range and he sprayed an assortment of winners past Levy's outstretched racquet.
While Safin started off slow in the cool and damp conditions at York University -- Levy broke him to go up 1-0 in the first set -- the world's No. 4 player became stronger as the match progressed.
"He's one of the most powerful players I've ever faced," said Levy, who was the first qualifier to reach the final of the event formerly known as the Canadian Open. "He hits the ball very hard and makes it very difficult to play against him."
Levy, who turned 22 on Saturday, predictably showed signs of stage fright in what was his first major final appearance. His career week started nine days ago when he was required to win two qualifying matches to get entry into the main draw.
His father, Yoyel, even made a 12-hour trip from Tel Aviv to watch his son collect his career-best paycheque of $211,000 US.
"I'll never forget this week," said Levy, who will move from 133 in the world into the top 60 with his performance. "I started the match well, but he played too good for me. This was a big jump from what I'm used to."
Safin wasn't at all surprised with his Sampras-like domination of Levy.
"It was his first final so he didn't know where to go or what to do out there," said Safin, who turned pro three years ago and has three lower-level titles to his credit. "It was a question of experience."
