TENNIS in DEPTH.

Former No. 1 Marat Safin’s career is over after a 6-4, 5-7, 6-4 loss to Juan Martin del Potro in the second round of the Paris Masters.

The 29-year-old Safin, a two-time Grand Slam title winner, put on a solid performance on center court Wednesday but was unable to overcome the U.S. Open champion.

Safin, a three-time winner in Paris, captured the 2000 U.S. Open and 2005 Australian Open among 15 singles titles. He has said he’ll quit after this season.

The charismatic Russian, who hasn’t won a title since the victory in Australia four years ago, will be remembered for his off court antics as well as for his pure talent on court. He holds the record for the most smashed racquets, the record for the most expletives, the record for the most bare-assed performances, and the record for lateness and unreliability.

In a sport that is dominated by robotic clones, Marat Safin was unique and refreshing. He will be missed!

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