TENNIS in DEPTH.

Marat Safin has accepted that he is probably just one match away from retirement.

The former world No.1 edged past French qualifier Thierry Ascione 6-4 4-6 7-6(3) to reach the second round, where US Open champion Juan Martin del Potro lies in wait.

In a typically candid assessment, the Russian was the first to acknowledge that his chances of prolonging his final season are slim to none.

“At the end of the day, I don’t think I’m going to be the winner,” the 29-year-old told reporters. And that, he added, is fine with him.

The three-time Paris Masters champion, who announced at the start of 2009 that this was to be his final year on the ATP Tour, no longer has the heart for training, or even for chasing results.

Asked if he would emulate fellow former world number one Andre Agassi and come up with a book full of revelations, Safin said: “I guess I have to retire and then after a few years I’ll write an autobiography with some confessions. If I need money, I’ll do that.”

In case the hint of a dig at Andre Agassi, whose autobiography Open hit the bookshelves yesterday, had been lost in translation, Safin left no doubt with his suggestion for the eight-time Grand Slam champion’s quick-fire solution for any guilt he ay have felt about his crystal meth confession.

“He feels guilty? So let him just give back his titles, money, his Grand Slams!” Safin told the French sports paper L’Equipe. “If he is so fair play, he should go all the way. You know, ATP have a bank account, he can refund if he wants to.

“What’s done is done. He hopes to sell more books. But he is completely stupid.”

“I do not defend the ATP, but what he said put them in a bad position. ATP allowed him to win a lot of tournaments, to make a lot of money.

“They kept his secret so why be so cruel with them? There are times you need to be able to shut up.”

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