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Safin insists he's saving best for last

Marat Safin reaches for a shot during his match against Albert Montanes, at the Australian Open in Melbourne, yesterday. Safin won in four sets. PHOTO: AP

Third seed Marat Safin warned his rivals that he was saving himself for the second week of the Australian Open after his 6-3, 4-6, 6-4, 6-1 victory over Spain's Albert Montanes in the second round yesterday.

The big Russian, runner-up in Melbourne last year, missed last week's Sydney International with a shoulder injury but said he would be at full throttle for his third round match against Germany's Rainer Schuettler.

"I was trying to throw the ball in the right spot so I didn't [hurt] my shoulder that much," said Safin, who is still using anti-inflammatory drugs to help with the pain.

"I am trying to use less power and less energy to be ready for the second week."

The 2000 US Open champion committed 53 unforced errors and was given a warning for racket abuse in a patchy display at Rod Laver Arena.

But after that moment of frustration early in the third set, Safin began to find his range from the baseline.

Safin broke the 81st-ranked Montanes soon afterwards and took the third set 6-4 before rushing through the fourth to wrap up proceedings in two hours 10 minutes.

Serena Williams plays a return to Els Callen, who she beat in two sets. PHOTO: AP

"The [shoulder] pain is going away completely. Hopefully by the next match it will be perfect," said Safin, who last year helped Russia to their first Davis Cup title and won the season-ending Tennis Masters Cup.

His third-round opponent Schuettler, the number 31 seed, defeated Dutch former Wimbledon champion Richard Krajicek 6-3, 7-5, 6-4.

"Schuettler beat Krajicek, so he is playing really good. Every match is going to be tough but I'm on my way."

Kim Clijsters applauds after her 6-0, 6-0 victory over Petra Mandula. PHOTO: AP

Safin said he was not unduly concerned about the form of Andre Agassi, who has looked in awesome shape during the first couple of rounds here.

"I don't really worry about him. He is in great form and is physically strong. He came here with his family, so he has to do well," he joked.

"But let's see what happens in the second week. You can't judge people on just two matches. Other players can get better in the second week and get more dangerous."

"I am trying to use less power and less energy to be ready for the second week."

Marat Safin

Safin signalled his intention to go one better than last year, when he lost to Swede Thomas Johansson in the final.

"By winning this tournament you are not going to be No. 1 at the end of the season," he said.

"But it is important to do well here in the first grand slam [of the year] because it gives you ranking points and confidence so you can fight for No. 1."
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