Marat Safin ended world number one Roger Federer's all-conquering run with a sensational come-from-behind victory to storm into the final of the Australian Open in Melbourne today.
The big Russian fourth seed won the last two sets to upset the Swiss defending champion 5-7, 6-4, 5-7, 7-6 (8/6), 9-7 in 4hrs 28min in what will be remembered as one of the greatest matches in Australian Open history.
Federer had been the raging favourite to carry off his third straight grand slam crown after winning Wimbledon and US Open last year.
Instead Safin will be playing in his third Australian final on Sunday against either Australian third seed Lleyton Hewitt or second seeded American Andy Roddick, who play their semi-final on Friday.
"To come back and still fight to win, it's a little bit difficult because psychologically you're upset that you've already had your chances," Safin said.
"For some reason I found the power to fight and tried to wait for my opportunities and eventually they came, even though it took me five, six, seven match points. It's enough match points.
"But I'm not playing against just a simple player. He's No.1 in the world, and you have to really work the point."
The victory snapped Federer's unbeaten 26-match run stretching back to last August and it was the first time a top-10 player had eclipsed the world's premier player after 24 straight wins since Federer last lost to former world number one Juan Carlos Ferrero in October 2003.
And it all came on Safin's 25th birthday as he turned things around with a dramatic fourth-set tiebreaker, pulling back from 2-5 to win the set 8-6 and level the match.
Safin won on his seventh match point in a pulsating deciding set where Federer fought furiously to stay alive after he held one match point of his own at 6-5 in the fourth set tiebreaker.
Safin will be attempting to win the Australian Open crown at the third attempt after losing to Federer in last year's final and to Swede Thomas Johansson in 2002.
"Hopefully, I'll have enough energy to be in good shape in the final and to be able to fight," Safin said. "Even though I took the number one player in the world, it doesn't mean that I'm the favorite in the final.
"Roddick is in great shape and if Hewitt is in the finals, he's going to play before his home crowd. So it's not going to be easy at all. You have to be really prepared for that."
Federer, who had been bidding to become the first player to win three consecutive grand slams since American Pete Sampras in 1993-94 and the third man to do so along with Australian great Rod Laver in 1969, was gracious in defeat.
"Losing after having match point it's always going to hurt, no matter how great the match was," he said.
"But at least I can leave the place feeling good about yourself because I thought I gave it all I had, and that's all I got.
"He was the better player in the end because we don't have ties or draws in tennis. So the winner is the better man, and that's him.
"Of course, I'm hoping for a rematch so I can beat him again. But it was a thrill actually to be a part of it, that's very clear."
The opening set looked headed for a tiebreaker before Federer broke Safin's service in the 12th game when the Russian's backhand was long.
But Safin broke the Swiss in the third game of the next set and served out the second set for Federer's first set loss in a grand slam tournament since the quarter-finals of the US Open last September.
Federer broke again in the second game of the third set, but Safin broke Federer for a second time on his second break point with a crushing forehand.
Safin could not fend off the Swiss ace who got to 15-40 triggering the Russian to slam his racquet into the court in anger. An overhit forehand gave Federer the third set.
The fourth set became the pivotal one of the match and developed into a thrilling tiebreaker.
Federer surged to a 5-2 lead but in an amazing turnaround Safin powered back to 5-5. The Swiss had one match point at 6-5 on serve but Safin nervelessly won the point with a lob that Federer raced back and hit between his legs into the net.
Safin got to set point and levelled the match when Federer shanked a backhand out.
Federer called for the trainer complaining of a twinge in his lower back and received a medical time-out for treatment.
Safin got the vital breakthrough in the sixth game when Federer double-faulted on break point to put the Russian on the cusp of victory at 4-2.
Safin served out for the match and held two match points but Federer broke back.
Federer was again down a match point in the next game but he held on winning a brilliant rally at the net.
Federer again fought off two more match points in the 14th game and Safin kept pressing and brought up two more match points in the 16th game.
Federer saved one with an ace but on the next one Safin had an open court to volley home after Federer fell to the court.
