Any speed/spin numbers for the Safin serve?

[lukman41985]

src= /members/strokearchive/pro_men/marat_safin/ms_serve/ms_toss/MS1stSDeuceTossFront.mov height=320 width=440
John,

I'm wondering if you have any speed/spin data on the Safin first serve. Looking at his serve, his toss seems far to the left--as far, if not farther to the left, than Sampras. So he most likely has a high spin numbers and a high topspin component to his serve. However, I think he gets more speed than Sampras. Whenever I watch a Safin match, I see him serving in the mid 120s, low 130s, with regularity. Is it possible he produces a heavier, nastier serve than either Sampras or Roddick?

Thanks for the great new issue!

[johnyandell]

No numbers at this time.

[lukman41985]

I see. I would wager that his speed/spin ratio puts him up there with Sampras and Roddick.

Do you agree his toss, even on the first serve, is pretty far to the left--a la Pete?