Paris, May 27: Marat Safin's nowhere near his peak form and he doesn't like being reminded about it.
"How many times they ask me this question?" said the Russian, winner of the 2000 US Open. "Far away. I'm far away. I'm far away."
In other words: "I'm definitely not in the best shape right now," said Safin, who was leading 5-7, 6-1, 4-1 in his first-round match against Agustin Calleri when the Argentine pulled out with pain in both hamstrings.
Safin faces Felix Mantilla in the second round. At Safin's first Roland Garros appearance in 1998, he owned the spotlight. As a teenage qualifer, the Russian upset Andre Agassi in the first round and then beat defending champion Gustavo Kuerten both in five-setters.

Now 24, Safin is unseeded for the first time in his past 13 grand slam appearances.



"I'm missing a little bit of confidence," said Safin, who has complained about being burned out.



"The schedule is very tough. It's tournament after tournament," Safin said. "You can't play and win them all."


Bureau Report