Safin ends Agassi's run Down Under

Unseeded Russian Marat Safin drew on immense depths of stamina and determination to reach the Australian Open final and send defending champion Andre Agassi crashing out in five epic sets.

The 24-year-old survived a spirited comeback from Agassi before reaching his second Australian Open final with a dramatic 7-6 (8/6) 7-6 (8/6) 5-7 1-6 6-3 victory in three hours and 41 minutes.

It was a victory which ended Agassi’s remarkable unbeaten run at the Australian Open which stretched back 26 matches and three titles to 1999.

The 33-year-old American gave his traditional farewell bow to the crowd - perhaps for the last time with speculation suggesting he will retire at the end of the year.

Had Agassi won he would have equalled Roy Emerson’s record for consecutive wins at the tournament which has stood since 1969.

“I still don’t know (how I won),” said Safin. “I don’t have the words to describe what I am feeling right now.

“To be on the same court as Andre Agassi and win the match in five sets after he back from two sets down, that’s great.”

Safin, who had played twice as much tennis to reach the semi-final as Agassi, could have been forgiven for starting with heavy legs after beating world number one Andy Roddick in five sets just 48 hours before.

“I am barely standing right now,” he said.

“You try to give everything, I don’t have anything inside of me right now but I have two days off and I hope I have a great match in the final.”