http://www.atptennis.com/en/newsandscores/news/2004/australia_day14.2.asp
AUSTRALIAN OPEN
FEBRUARY 1 , 2004
Safin Emerges a Big Winner Despite Loss to Federer
Marat Safin's courageous path to the Australian Open final also proved to be
his downfall. Safin played a total of 30 sets during the tournament, equaling
the Open era record of 30 sets played by Harold Solomon at Roland Garros in
1976. (Solomon also lost the final.)
Safin came into the final having played draining back-to-back five-set matches
against year-end World No. 1 Andy Roddick and defending champion Andre Agassi.
Despite two days rest, Safin had lost some of his spark by the time he
confronted Federer in the final. In contrast, the Swiss had dropped just two
sets en route the final. (When he won Wimbledon last year, Federer conceded
just one set.)
Apart from the fatigue of having spent 18 hours on court, Safin was also
challenged by a tough draw. Following victories over defending US Open champion
Roddick and defending Australian Open champion Agassi, Safin was attempting to
become the first player since Michael Stich at Wimbledon in 1991 to beat three
reigning Grand Slam champions en route to the title.
Despite losing in the Australian Open final for the second time in three years,
Safin will consider the result an outstanding success. He had not won an ATP
match since May last year and missed a big chunk of the season with a left
wrist injury he sustained at Melbourne Park in 2003. Safin was forced to
withdraw ahead of his schedule third-round match in Melbourne last year and
missed the remaining three Grand Slam tournaments of the season.
Safin came into this year's tournament ranked No. 86 but will jump more than 50
places to No. 35 when the new ATP rankings are released Monday. He will also be
in second place in the ATP Champions Race, giving him an early boost in his
quest to qualify for Tennis Masters Cup Houston.
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