January 27, 2005: Marat Safin saves MP to beat Roger Federer in Melbourne
On this day 14 years ago, the entire tennis world was expecting the semi-final encounter on the Rod Laver Arena between the last year's Australian Open champion Roger Federer and Marat Safin whom he beat in the title match. The Swiss claimed the first Australian Open crown over Marat in 2004 and this time it was the Russian's turn to serve the revenge, ousting the world no. 1 5-7, 6-4, 5-7, 7-6, 9-7 in four hours and 28 minutes of breathtaking tennis that kept the crowd on the edge of their seats from start to finish. Federer had won the last 26 matches he played and also 19 at Grand Slams dating back from Wimbledon 2004, playing on a very high level throughout 2005 and suffering one of only four defeats in the entire season!
The encounter was played on Marat's 25th birthday and he made sure to give himself the most desired gift, especially after winning the title three days later. Roger had to deal not only with an inspired Safin but also with the elbow and back pain (blisters as well), coming back from a 5-2 down in the fifth set before ending on the wrong side of the scoreboard when Marat broke him in the last game of the match, converting the seventh match point! It was the shotmaking of the most excellent order on both sides, turning the encounter into one of the best of the 21st century.
Two of the most naturally gifted players of their generation pushed each other to the limits with some accurate and powerful serving, court covering and attacking tennis from every part of the field, giving the crowd on the Rod Laver Arena something to remember for a long time. As we all know, Safin's mental aspect of the game was not always in correlation with his physical predispositions and talent although it all came out perfectly for him in Melbourne during the fortnight, under the guidance of Roger's former coach Peter Lundgren.
In the end, Federer won seven points more than Safin (four breaks of serve on each side) however it wasn't enough to carry him over the finish line despite the fact he had the advantage in the shortest points up to four strokes, the dominant kind of rallies in this fast and floating match. Nothing could separate them in the mid-range exchanges while Marat prevailed in the longer points with ten or more shots. Both players found the range on serve right from the start and the first break point was seen only in game eight, repelled by Marat's massive serve. Roger held after two deuces in game 11 and he clinched the opener with a break in the following game when Safin sent a backhand long.
The Russian went in front after a break in the third game of set number two, keeping the advantage until 5-4 when he wrapped up the set with an excellent half volley to level the overall score and get back into contention before the rest of the encounter. Federer moved in front with a break in the second game of the third set but Safin got it back with a cracking backhand down the line in game five, returning to the positive side of the scoreboard and setting an exciting closure of the set. Returners had their chances in the finishing games and it was Roger who took charge this time around, breaking in game 12 after a colossal forehand error from Marat to grab the set 7-5 and move closer to the place in the final.
The fourth set produced some tremendous hitting and no break points, heading towards the tie break that was a must-win one for Marat. The pressure was on the Russian and Roger took full advantage of that, blasting a return winner to gain a 5-2 lead, moving two points away from the finish line. With no room for errors, Safin won the next two points on the return but Roger earned a match point at 6-5 for his second straight Australian Open final. Marat saved it with a beautiful lob to stay alive, closing the breaker in the 14th point to send the match into a decider after three hours and eight minutes.
There, Safin fends off two break points in game three and he jumped into a 4-2 lead after a costly double fault from Roger, extending the advantage with a hold in the following game. Serving for the triumph at 5-3, Marat squandered two match points and Roger broke back to prolong this marvelous match and give the crowd more memorable moments. The Swiss had to save another match point on own serve in game ten and an additional two at 6-7, refusing to surrender until the very end. Safin held with ease to gain an 8-7 advantage, forcing Roger to serve to stay in the match once again and this time he found a way to break the Swiss and seal the deal.
Federer repelled the sixth match point with an ace but the seventh proved to be crucial, stumbling while chasing the ball and allowing Marat to conquer the last point of the match with a forehand winner and book the place in the final.
from Tennis World USA http://bit.ly/2MBuRky
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