Safin stops Agassi in Australian Open ( 2004-01-30 15:50) (Agencies) Russian Marat Safin ended
Andre Agassi's five-year winning streak at the Australian Open, beating the
American reigning champion 7-6 (8-6), 7-6 (8-6), 5-7, 1-6 and 6-3 at the Rod
Laver Arena in Melbourne on Thursday.
Safin, 24, who once ranked first in the world but dropped to 86th last year
after an injury-plagued season, defeated 33-year-old four-time champion Agassi
with his thunderous serve and speedy groundstrokes.
"I don't have the words to describe what I'm feeling," said Safin. "To be on
the same court as Andre Agassi and to win in five sets after he came back from
2-0 down, it's great."
Safin, who beat Pete Sampras in the 2000 US Open final and a 2002 Australian
Open finalist, scored 33 aces and 79 winners over fourth-seeded Agassi in 3
hours and 42 minutes.
Agassi, who had not lost a match at the Australian Open since his 1999 fourth
round exit, also became the fifth American to fall victim at these championships
to the Russian, who also eliminated world number one Andy Roddick in a five-set
quarterfinal.
With the victory, Safin will play either Switzerland's Roger Federer or Juan
Carlos Ferrero of Spain in his third appearance in a Grand Slam final. Federer
and Ferrero face each other on Friday.
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