Safin digs deep to beat Calatrava

Russian Marat Safin overcame a self-inflicted toe injury and gutsy Spaniard Alex Calatrava in five gruelling sets on Thursday to reach the third round of the French Open.

Safin, who received courtside treatment for his injury, prevailed 6-3, 3-6, 6-3, 6-7, 6-3 on Court One.

"I hit (my toe on) a chair," said the slightly embarrassed-looking second seed who reeled off a series of winners but struggled at times to contain his fiery temper and slammed his racket into the dirt on several occasions.

Asked how frustrated he had been after failing to win the fourth set tiebreak Safin replied: "Angry enough to break a few rackets."

The 21-year-old Russian, who suffered a back injury in Dubai in March, has yet to win a title this year.

On Wednesday his compatriot Yevgeny Kafelnikov told him he needed "to grow up" and show more maturity but Safin shrugged off the criticism after his match.

"I'm glad that I suffered and I won," he said. "I suffered, I fought and I won this match, that's perfect."

Asked directly about Kafelnikov's criticism he replied: "I don't care. I'm making my own life. I can't listen to everybody. It's OK, it's his opinion but I'm satisfied with my life.

"Maybe my brain is a little bit younger than 21 years but I'm happy with it," added the U.S. Open champion.

He will meet Fabrice Santoro next after the Frenchman ended Briton Greg Rusedski's hopes earlier on Thursday.