Safin Guns for First Title in Two Years

Marat Safin will look to pull out of his hardcourt slump with a first title in 2004 when he faces Russian compatriot Mikhail Youzhny in the final of the ATP stop at Beijing today.

The No. 5-seeded Safin overwhelmed Fin Jarkko Nieminen 6-2, 6-4, to advance to his third final of the year.

"It feels good to be playing so well again," said Safin who has not lost a set in the tournament. "It's been a long time since I played so well and for me it's a big thing to be in a final again."

Safin is 0-2 in finals this year, losing to Roger Federer in the Australian Open final, and to Juan Ignacio Chela on clay in Estoril.

The unseeded Youzhny took out crowd favorite and No. 6 seed Paradorn "The Thai Fighter" Srichaphan 6-4, 6-4 in his semifinal.

Safin won his lone meeting with Youzhny in straight sets at the 2002 Australian Open.

"All the pressure is going to be on me," Safin said. "I'm more experienced, a little bit older, I've been in more finals. Basically, he has nothing to lose."

The doubles final will be all-American, with No. 2-seeded Justin "Time" Gimelstob and Graydon Oliver against Alex Bogomolov Jr. and Taylor Dent.