Safin to become 'rabbit' for federer match

Marat Safin wouldn't recommended placing a bet on him for his semi final match against reigning champion, Roger Federer.

The former world number one was quick to play down his chances of upsetting the Swiss and suggested that he would need animal-like qualities to stand any chance of doing so.

He said: "To beat Federer you need to be Nadal and run around like a rabbit and hit winners from all over the place. It's another chance for me. But I think it's just a little bit too difficult."

Nevertheless, rediscovering the form that once took him right to the top of the men's game has pleased Safin, who has recently slipped to a disappointing 89th in the rankings.

He said: "It's not the same when you're 20-years old and the first time you make semi-finals.

"You think you are flying - you are not even touching the ground."

Safin has overcome Novak Djokovic, Stanislas Wawrinka and Feliciano Lopez to get to this stage and opponent Federer will not be taking the Russian lightly.

Federer, who has yet to drop a set at this year's tournament, said: "Last year I wasn't happy to see Safin in my draw. I'm never happy and he probably knows that."

With Safin's blockbuster clash with Federer taking centre stage, Rafael Nadal's semi-final against Rainer Schuettler threatens to be a lop-sided affair if the rampant Spaniard plays as he did against Britain's Andy Murray in the quarter-finals.

© Independent Television News Limited 2008. All rights reserved.