Safin recovered from a horrible beginning when he conceded a double service-break to surge home and dash Hewitt's hopes of becoming the first home winner of the Australian Open since Mark Edmondson in 1976. The likeable Russian was desperate not to become the ninth man in the professional era of tennis to lose three consecutive grand slam finals and grew in confidence after looking out of it in an error-ridden opening set.
Safin recovered from a horrible beginning when he conceded a double service-break to surge home and dash Hewitt's hopes of becoming the first home winner of the Australian Open since Mark Edmondson in 1976. The likeable Russian was desperate not to become the ninth man in the professional era of tennis to lose three consecutive grand slam finals and grew in confidence after looking out of it in an error-ridden opening set.