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29-01-04, 15:00
Russia's Marat Safin reached the Australian Open final with a dramatic victory over defending champion Andre Agassi. The Russian showed great skill and athleticism to win 7-6 7-6 5-7 1-6 6-3.
Agassi, who is unbeaten in Melbourne since 1999, had points to win the first two sets but fell short in the tie-break both times. But he claimed the next two sets before Safin broke in the fourth game of the decider and clung on for victory. "I don't have the words to describe what I 'm feeling right now," said Safin.
"It was a great experience for me, to come back in the fifth set. I think I played one of my best matches in my whole life, probably. You have to play really great against Andre to beat him. I just couldn't feel any better."
www.bbc.co.uk (http://www.bbc.co.uk)
Agassi, who is unbeaten in Melbourne since 1999, had points to win the first two sets but fell short in the tie-break both times. But he claimed the next two sets before Safin broke in the fourth game of the decider and clung on for victory. "I don't have the words to describe what I 'm feeling right now," said Safin.
"It was a great experience for me, to come back in the fifth set. I think I played one of my best matches in my whole life, probably. You have to play really great against Andre to beat him. I just couldn't feel any better."
www.bbc.co.uk (http://www.bbc.co.uk)