Safin Downs Federer in Epic

Fourth seed Marat Safin brought a crashing end to Roger Federer's 26-match unbeaten run by downing the defending champion in an epic Australian Open semi-final today.

Safin survived match point in a fourth set tie-breaker to come back and clinch the match 5-7, 6-4, 5-7, 7-6, 9-7, after four hours 38 minutes, thereby exacting his revenge for his humiliating straight-sets defeat to Federer in last year's final. The Russian will now meet either Andy Roddick or local favourite Lleyton Hewitt in Sunday's title decider.

Federer, who picked up three grand slam titles last year, had cruised to the last four of the tournament and looked likely to progress to the final as he surged into a two sets to one lead and held matchpoint in the fourth-set tie-breaker.

Safin, however, recovered to win that set before breaking in the fifth set when the Swiss double-faulted at 3-2 to concede a crucial break of serve. However Federer, who several times in the match sought treatment for a sore back, then showed his determination to cling on to his crown by saving two match points at 3-5 down and breaking back.

Federer wasn't finished there either: he survived three further matches point at 5-6 and 6-7, and rescued another two games later, until a simple forehand brought Safin a brilliant and ultimately deserved victory.