Safin puts off surgery for Wimbledon bid

Fifth seed Marat Safin will play through the pain barrier at Wimbledon.

The volatile Russian, who has never been beyond the quarter-finals at the grasscourt grand slam, has a ruptured knee ligament, an injury that will require surgery.

However, after reaching the final in Halle on grass last week, the powerful 25-year-old arrives at Wimbledon confident of making a big impression on what has hitherto been his least favourite surface.

"The way I played last week I did not really expect," said Safin, who lost in three sets to Roger Federer in the final.

"Federer and Roddick are the favourites, but I don't mind being an outsider. People don't expect much from me."

Safin admitted his doctor told him not to play at Wimbledon for fear of worsening his knee injury.

"He told me not to play but on grass it's better than if it was a hardcourt tournament," he said.

Safin expects to be out of action for a month after Wimbledon, but hopes to be back well in time for the US hardcourt season.

Den Bosch Open final: Ancic bt Llodra 7-5 6-4.