Home > Sports > Tennis > Reuters > Report

Exhausted Safin hits the high spot

Alastair Himmer | January 29, 2004 21:21 IST

Marat Safin said life couldn't get any better after beating champion Andre Agassi in the Australian Open semi-finals on Thursday -- then remembered that he still had a job to do.

His legs wobbling and temper fraying, the Russian giant outhustled Agassi 7-6, 7-6, 5-7, 1-6, 6-3 in a stamina-sapping encounter on Rod Laver Arena to set up a final against either Roger Federer or Juan Carlos Ferrero.

"It was a great experience for me... to come back in the fifth set," said an exhausted Safin.

"I think I played one of my best matches in my whole life, probably. You have to play really great against Andre to beat him. I just couldn't feel any better."

The former world number one, whose ranking has slipped to 86 after an injury-riddled 2003, still has unfinished business at the Australian Open after losing to Sweden's Thomas Johansson in the 2002 final.

"Two years ago, I had problems with myself. I couldn't play my best tennis. I was too nervous, too much under pressure," said the big-hitting Russian.

"That's why I couldn't pull my best weapons in that final. But coming right now, I'm full of confidence and it's a completely different story."

Safin, who destroyed Pete Sampras to win the 2000 U.S. Open final, has already made a mockery of his current world ranking.

He insisted he had nothing to fear from either Wimbledon champion Federer or Ferrero, the 2003 French Open winner, in Sunday's final.

"Federer has great talent but Ferrero is also there. You have to be careful with both of them," shrugged Safin.

"But everything is going my way for the moment. I came here to try to win it and I'm almost there. Just one left to go."

Safin will be grateful for an extra day off after a gruelling run to the final which has included three five-setters.

"Tough matches, they take a lot of energy. Mentally, I'm a little bit tired. I mean, tomorrow I'm definitely not going to play tennis," said Safin, who celebrated his 24th birthday by knocking out top seed Andy Roddick on Tuesday.

"So basically an extra day... is really, really helpful. It's not like I'm going to forget how to play tennis in two days."


Article Tools
Email this article
Print this article
Write us a letter



Related Stories


Hewitt hell-bent on return

Agassi sailing, Roddick on fire

Roddick upbeat about 2004



People Who Read This Also Read


Agassi's encore comes to an end

Sehwag, Tendulkar fit for Perth

Clijsters, Henin in Aus final








© Copyright 2003 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of Reuters content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Reuters. Reuters shall not be liable for any errors or delays in the content, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon.











Copyright © 2004 rediff.com India Limited. All Rights Reserved.