Former world No.1 Marat Safin is hoping a successful run at the Countrywide Classic in Los Angeles will see him seeded for the US Open.
Former world No.1 wants to earn seeding at Flushing Meadows
Former world No.1 Marat Safin is hoping that a successful run at the Countrywide Classic in Los Angeles will see him seeded for the US Open.
Safin is currently ranked 44 in the world and needs a good points haul from the tournament to see him clinch a place among the 32 seeds at Flushing Meadows.
And the Russian got off to a solid start with a 6-3 6-4 win over John Isner to reach the second round in LA.
"I have a chance (to be seeded) and that's my goal," Safin admitted. "It's a huge difference if you are seeded at the US Open or not, because you can play Rafael Nadal in the first round.
"I think I am playing pretty well. For this first match, it was a pretty good performance. I just need to stay aggressive and move on from here.
Solid
"After two weeks when I lost in the second and first rounds, and against an opponent like Isner, who is not easy to play, I was pretty solid."
Safin will face Wayne Odesnik in the last 16 after the American was a 4-6 6-1 6-4 victor over compatriot Bobby Reynolds.
Vince Spadea is also through after recovering to beat Frenchman Sebastien Grosjean 6-3 3-6 6-3.
There was also a three-set victory for Serb Dusan Vemic, who will now face top seed Andy Roddick after he beat Sam Warburg 3-6 7-6 6-4.
However eighth seed Tommy Haas is out of the competition after his shock 6-2 6-4 defeat to Donald Young.
