Safin out first round in Thailand

BANGKOK: Russian seventh-seed Marat Safin tumbled out in the first round of the Thailand Open on Tuesday following a 6-4, 7-6 defeat by German Philipp Petzschner.

The former US and Australian Open winner fell at the first hurdle in one of his favorite tournaments, handing the pacy Petzschner the first set and coming out on the wrong end of the deciding tiebreak.

"I didn't feel comfortable on court," Safin said. "Unfortunately, I didn't win, the other guy was better than me."