Tennis: Johannson claims Australian title

Sweden’s Thomas Johansson put an end to Marat Safin’s hopes of a double celebration when claiming the men’s single title at the Australian Open in Melbourne.

Safin, 22 today, was seeking to become the first payer in history to win a Grand Slam singles’ title on his birthday, but Johansson, seeded 16, beat the ninth seed in four sets, 3-6, 6-4, 6-4, 7-6.

Russian Safin took the first set in 33 minutes, breaking the Swede’s serve in the first game.

Johansson regained his composure to take a two sets to one lead after two hours of play.

Safin, the US Open champion in 2000, fought back bravely in the fourth to take the set to a tiebreak.

However, the 27-year-old Swede held himself together and took a 6-1 lead in the set decider, and although Safin saved three match points he could not stop Johansson from taking the title.