Safin feeling no pressure on latest comeback

By Simon Cambers

MELBOURNE (Reuters) - A resurgent Marat Safin made a winning start to the year on Wednesday at the Kooyong Classic but refused to put pressure on himself as he attempts yet another climb back up the rankings.

The former world number one and winner of two grand slam titles made an impressive start to 2008 as he beat Andy Murray 6-1 6-4 at the eight-man exhibition event.

Safin won the Australian Open in 2005 but a series of injuries contributed to a loss of form that triggered a slide down the rankings.

The 27-year-old looked in fine shape as he beat the in-form Murray, winner in Doha last weekend, but Safin insisted he would be taking the year step by step.

"I don't have high expectations because it's pressure I don't need at all," the giant Russian told reporters ahead of next week's Australian Open.

"If I manage not to break myself on the way, I think I'll be somewhere around top 20, and from there it is easy to think about top 10."

Safin, who added that he was finally free of injury, worked hard on his fitness in the off-season.

"For one month and a half, I've been practising hard, seven hours a day, so I think it should be paying off at the end of the day," he said. "I'm waiting, expecting something to come."