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Safin unable to halt Federer challenge

Marat Safin serves to Roger Federer during their match at the Kooyong Classic tennis tournament in Melbourne, Australia, yesterday. Federer won 6-3, 7-6. PHOTO: EPA

Roger Federer honed his razor-sharp tennis to near-perfection yesterday as he stormed into the final of the Kooyong Classic with a 6-3, 7-6 (7/2) defeat of Russian rival Marat Safin.

The contest, which lasted just over an hour, was a sharp contrast to the labored victory the world No.1 earned just 24 hours earlier, requiring three tiebreakers to get past Radek Stepanek.

Streaky Russian Safin looms as a potential spoiler for Federer's chances of a second consecutive Australian Open title when the first major of the season begins on Monday at Melbourne Park.

Before a knee injury compromised almost a year of his season from mid-2005, former world No.1 Safin lifted the 2005 Australian Open title, defeating the Swiss in a tight semi-final.

Federer polished his lethal, silky-smooth game in a swirling wind, a challenge which he gleefully accepted.

"There are always winds at Kooyong," the Swiss ace said.

"I warmed up on Rod Laver [showcourt at Melbourne Park] this morning and there was no wind," he said.

Frustrated

"Then I came here and Marat said he trained only 15 minutes because he got frustrated with the wind," he said. "It's kind of good, more wind here makes the Australian Open probably easier to play. I thought our level was pretty good."

"We had some big hitting from the baseline. With Marat, you're going to get the rhythm because he's such a good ball striker. I definitely served better and just tightened up the game a bit. I was really happy," Federer said.

Despite losing, Safin was happy with his form going into the Australian Open.

"I played a pretty good match, and for me it's really big," he said. "It lets me see myself where I am right now."

"I was a break up in the second set and I was very close to winning the second. So if I can compete on the same level with Federer, it means that I'm in good shape," Safin said.

"Even though he's tough, I like to play against him. You need to get used to the pace of his ball. When I get an opportunity I can definitely make it a bit tough for him to beat me," he said.

No more injuries

"I'll try not to break myself any more, not have any more injuries. It's difficult to catch up with him when you are coming out from an injury," the Russian said.

Federer will aim for his second Kooyong title tomorrow when he plays the winner from today's contest between Andy Roddick and Briton Andy Murray.

"For rhythm, it would be better to play Murray but for prestige, it would be Roddick," said Federer, adding: "I practised with both of them last week."

The elite eight-man Kooyong tune-up is considered ideal preparation for the Grand Slam with its guarantee of matches on the Rebound Ace surface, which is also used at the Open.

In consolation matches, Croatian Ivan Ljubicic handed German Tommy Haas a second defeat at the event 7-6 (7-5), 6-4.

Czech Stepanek beat Chilean substitute Fernando Gonzalez 6-4, 7-6 (7-4) after the South American replaced injured Argentine David Nalbandian.
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