Juan Martin Del Potro. Fernando Gonzalez. Andy Murray. Roger Federer. Rafael Nadal.
One of these men will likely end Marat Safin's career at Bercy this week. All are worthy of the dubious honor. Qualifier Thierry Ascione was not.
In winning his opening round match against Ascione 6-4, 4-6, 7-6 (7-3), Safin looked genuinely worried, as if his tumultuous career flashed before his eyes on each of the Frenchman's three match points. The fearful reaction was a good thing. It meant Safin cared.
Watching the Russian's encore year on the ATP Tour has been fascinating. There were a few tournaments where he almost certainly gave up early just to get out of a particular town. He came. He practiced. He gave the fans a quick showing. Mission accomplished.
In those situations, he gave Oscar-worthy performances of mock despair. He rolled his eyes, threw water bottles, and huffed and puffed as he stomped around the court like a dejected child.
Tennis aficionados know, though, that when it matters, Safin turns inward.
His sincere disappointment was apparent in tournaments where the switch clicked and he realized an unintended loss was eminent. There were cracked racquets here and there, but in cases like today, it was less obvious. The swagger simply slowed.
The shoulders sank. In the quiet moments between points, he fidgeted. Confidence waning, he seemed embarrassed.
Losing today would have been an abysmal way to end a storied run on the ATP Tour. Ascione looked a little too smug, a little too eager to be placed in the record books as the last dagger through the heart of Safin's career. And, so, the last stand is extended. Wednesday? Friday? The weekend?
If Del Potro is the chosen closer, it will be like seamlessly handing over the reins to a new generation. Juan Martin's U.S. Open victory over Federer has often been compared to the Safin-Sampras match of 2000. His height, build, and movement on court are eerily similar to Marat's.
Del Potro will simply step into Safin's over-sized shoes and carry on while the retiree disappears. No one would fault such a natural transition.
Gonzalez and Murray, top ten talents in their own right, would be fitting finishes as well. As would Nadal, who often looks admiringly at Safin as if to say, "How amazing would I be if I had your je ne sais quoi to go with my tenacity?"
A Federer rendezvous would be the most satisfying in the draw. The two friends, brimming with mutual respect, are no strangers to facing each other, and their 2005 Australian Open dance is regarded as one of the best matches ever played.
Safin is still capable of brilliance, if only for a game or two, and seeing him bring his best effort against Roger would be a sweet finale regardless of the score.
Davai, Marat. Soak it up. Fight. Throw the last racquet. Rock the last ace. And when it's over, no matter the adversary, pop a bottle of Dom and stop worrying. The best is yet to come.
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