Australian Open: Marat Safin Wins Men's Singles Final

Russian player and fourth seed Marat Safin has won the Australian Open men's singles final over third seed Australian Lleyton Hewitt, 1-6, 6-3, 6-4, 6-4, in a match that lasted nearly three hours.

The men's singles final was fought at Melbourne Park in the Rod Laver Arena.

Third seed Hewitt entered the final after beating second seed American Andy Roddick, 3-6, 7-6 (7-3), 7-6 (7-4), 6-1 in 2hrs 54min, last night.

Fourth seed Safin entered the final after a stunning upset win over first seed Swiss player Roger Federer, 5-7, 6-4, 5-7, 7-6 (8-6), 9-7, on Thursday.

This is the first time since Pat Cash lost to Swedish player Mats Wilander in 1988 that an Australian had reached the men's singles final in the Australian Open.

The last Australian player to win the Australian Open was Mark Edmondson in 1976.

The men's singles championship started at 7.50pm today, Australian eastern daylight saving time, with both players battling on for 2 hours and 45 minutes.