Safin delays surgery for Slam 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 world number one and defending Wimbledon champion Roger Federer in the final.

"Federer and (Andy) 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.

"I'm in pain with it. I was going to retire in Halle, but I'm playing on with pain killers and anti-inflammatory tablets."

Safin, who has struggled this year after winning the Australian Open, said his new-found form on grass is down to his coach Peter Lundgren.

"He told me to be more aggressive which you need to do on grass," he said. "The problem is when you lack confidence it can be a very risky way to play.

"You're not going to see me serve and volleying all the time, but I will mix it up, use more slice. Hopefully I will get to the second week and then see what happens."

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