AUSSIE OPEN MEN'S FINAL

Pure magic: Federer the clear No. 1 after stomping Safin for Aussie Open title
First-set tiebreak determined match

By Matthew Cronin
tennisreporters.net

Conducting a perfect symphony of all-court tennis, Roger Federer waved his maestro's golden baton and sang a song of victory in a 7-6 (3), 6-4, 6-2 victory over Marat Safin to his first Australian Open title.

Proving for the first time that he can sustain his genus game over a three-month period, Federer outstroked the game Russian from the baseline, returning with a clinician's eye, volleyed beautifully and matched Safin stare for stare in one of the best played men's Slam finals in two years.

"What a great start to the year for me, to win the Australian Open and become No. 1 in the world,'' the 22-year-old said. "To fulfill my dreams, it really means very much to me. "(Safin) had to battle. He's been longer on the court than me, way longer. It's really nice to see him back. He's a great guy and a great player."

Despite the fact that he had wracked up more games played in the Open Era than any player in history entering the final, Safin left his guts out on the court. While "Big Red" was clearly out played by "Club Fed," he pressed the Swiss in numerous rallies and fought him tooth and nail even though he knew after the first set that he would be unable to overpower him.

But in the end, it was Federer's clutch serving, ability to draw Safin in and leave him gasping attempting to stab volley passing shots, and his yeomen's like work with crosscourt backhand slices that propelled him to his second major title.

Siggi Bucher

Safin's serve wasn't a weapon in final.

Newly minted No. 1 Federer came out nervous when he was broken in third game as he committed a forehand error. But a virtual Ph.D. with his ability to read where his foe's serves are going, he broke Safin right back to 2-2. Bashing at each other for all angles of court, the two traded service breaks again and then went into a tiebreak, which essentially determined the outcome of the match.

First-set tiebreak determined match
If Safin as won the breaker, he might have been able to win his second Slam crown, but Federer tightened up his game while Safin was overly ambitious. Federer laced a forehand passing shot for a 4-2 edge, but committed a backhand error. While Safin's vaunted two-hander was a factor in the match, his forehand let him down time and time again. He committed two forehand errors to fall behind 3-6 and then Federer crunched a forehand down the line to take the set.

The '00 US Open champ was frustrated, but continued to battle. However, reigning Wimbledon titltist Federer began to find the rhythm on his serve and was began to inhale Safin's second serves. Federer broke him to 3-2 when he whipped a forehand down the line that Safin couldn't handle.

Being healthy for the first time in a Slam in more than a year, Safin played a courageous, powerful game to fight off three sets point at 4-5, but Federer didn't lose his composure and brilliantly served the set out at love.

Safin continued to scrape and claw, but lost his legs in the third set, while Federer raised his game every time he needed to. He won the third set with ease, fell to his knees and lifted his arms upward.
In only dropping one set in his eye-catching wins over Lleyton Hewitt, Juan Carlos Ferrero and Roddick and Agassi-conqueror Safin, Federer clearly established himself as the player to beat in 2004.