Marat Safin
Russians keep warm by watching the dramatic final in sizzling Melbourne. (Nick Laham / Getty Images)

Russian press hails Safin's Australian Open coronation

MOSCOW (AFP) - Russian newspapers were full of praise Monday for Marat Safin's come-from-behind win over Lleyton Hewitt in Sunday's Australian Open final.

"Marat warmed up Russia," announced the country's oldest daily Soviet Sport, saying virtually all of Russia -- currently blanketed in snow and freezing temperatures -- had its eyes on the dramatic final in sizzling Melbourne.

The 2002 Davis Cup winner had lost his previous two Open finals Down Under.

Roger Federer beat him in straight sets last year and he was upset by Swedish 16th seed Thomas Johansson in the 2002 final.

Russian Tennis Federation chief Shamil Tarpishchev predicted the big Russian, who beat Federer in an epic five-set semi-final in Melbourne, was ready to take over as the world No 1.

Safin's upset sets up an exciting year ahead, says vanquished Federer
 

MELBOURNE (AFP) - Roger Federer says Marat Safin's spectacular win over him has set up an exciting year ahead for men's tennis.Tennis does not come much better than the unpredictable Russian's superb five-set win late Thursday that ended the world number one's unbeaten 26-match run stretching back to last August.

World number four Safin also became the first top-10 player to conquer the world number one after 24 straight wins since Federer last lost to Juan Carlos Ferrero in October 2003.Federer was zeroing in on his third consecutive grand slam title after winning three majors last year along with the season-ending Masters Cup in Houston.