Question by gannoway: Who is best between these three Russian players Safin, Kafelnikov and Davydenko?
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Answer by aiman
it is davydenko…….safin is an old player but he also good……
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James M says
That is a tough question for various reasons. Davydenko doesnt compare in my book as he only has a Paris indoor title to his credit.
Safin and Kafelnikov both won grandslam singles titles and were top ten players for years (push).
Kafelnikov never won a tennis masters series title and Safin won a bunch (edge Safin).
Kafelnikov was also a top ten doubles player and won a few slam doubles titles (edge Kafelnikov).
Kafelnikov won an Olympic gold medal (edge Kafelnikov).
Safin won the Davis cup and numerous big matches in Davis Cup, whereas Kafelnikov often choked in big Davis cup matches (huge edge Safin).
In their prime I would have to give the edge to Safin as he had more weapons and was a threat to beat anyone on a given day (whereas Kafelnikov rarely threatened the elite players and had way too many bad losses due to playing more than Davydenko)
Also when you think of classic matches Safin has big wins over Sampras, Hewitt, Roddick and Federer. Kafelnikov never really had an extra gear where he could raise his game to beat elite players and other than his victory of Krajicek (where he was aced an obscene amount of times) I dont recall a great defining victory (his slams victories were nothing remarkeable)
catmandu says
Safin. Look at it this way, if you asked Sampras, Agassi or Federer who they would least like to play in a final I'd bet they would all say Safin. He can take anyone in history on a given day and make them look like girly men.
Rezheen H says
at his prime, kafelinikov was 1 of the best. safin has only won 1 major and i don't think davydenko ever won anything.
Kenan says
Safin has won 2 majors.
Safin is clearly the best. He was the most injury prone but was the most naturally gifted and took out the biggest names.
Phil C says
i have to agree with a lot of the answers already. I feel the most naturally talented is Safin, which is a big thing in its self, but it really proves that talent isn’t enough, as you have to work just as hard if not harder on mental preparation as safin doesn’t have the right attitude towards his match play. it almost seems like once he goes behind, or hits a bad shot he almost gives up ( for example, Safin vs. Federer in Wimbledon, safin looked like he had given up just because he was playing federer ) i also feel that his confidence to play his natural game, so I would have to say that Davydenko is defiantly the best, especially as he adapts to the occasion and the surface as well as dealing with the pressure, that is what makes him so good (but kafelnikov is one of the all time greats). I have to say though, if safin got his mind in the right place, he would be very hard to beat, but if he will or not, is a different question.
Kenan says
Safin was already long gone by that stage. The knee injury in 2005 left him playing in pain for years and 2x slower than he was before. That's not easy for a man of 194cm+
mfunke76 says
good question. Talent wise i would say Safin by far…but Kafelnikov was more solid for a longer period of time. Safin could easily be the best in the world if he would get his head straightened and improved his work ethic.
I dont think much of Davydenko. he is what he is. A semifinalist at best. He is like David Nalbandian to me.
Jack C says
Safin for sure he is the only one to win a slam. He may not be the player with the most consistant results out of the three but has the biggest game out of three, That is why he is a bigger threat then the other guys. Plus he is the last guy to beat rodger in a slam besides Rafa.
Jonboy24 says
Potential; Safin, all that skill and so little mental fortitude
Career:Kafelnikov, the only male russian to have the skill to be the best and use it.
Runner up:Davydenko aka the lesser Dementieva, he has the heart but is just not good enough to be slam material.
flipper says
i prefer davydenko… he does not cheat no?
Michael N says
For pure talent, Safin is the greatest Russian player ever. For overall career success, it is a toss up between Kafelnikov (2 grand slams, Olympic gold medal at 2000 Games, reached #1 ranking) and Safin (2 grand slams, 2 Davis Cup, reached #1 ranking).
djb32067433_1 says
I think when he is 100% mentally focused, Marat Safin is the better player. The only reason he has failed to live up to his potential, is because he doesn't have any self-confidence. He has a big serve, and can do well off the ground, but when his anger gets the best of him, he's a totally different player. I think of the 3, he has more potential.
Kenan says
You obviously have no idea about the serious injuries he had.