Safin Dethrones Federer in Five-Set Marathon at Australian Open

Marat Safin ended the hopes of defending champion Roger Federer in the Australian Open semifinals with a 5-7, 6-4, 5-7, 7-6(6), 9-7 win in a four hour, 25 minute match that stretched into early morning Friday in Melbourne.

Federer delivered 22 aces to Safin's 16, but also had eight doubles faults to the Russian's one. Fans at Rod Laver Arena gave the adversaries a standing ovation, and sang Happy Birthday to Safin.

The Russian clinched the win on his seventh match point of the contest.

"When it's coming the moment, it's a little bit choking," said Safin, who saved a match point in the fourth-set tiebreak. "It's like a brain fight against each other. It's Roger Federer, so already psychologically it's really difficult."

Safin moves into the final, reversing last year's decision when he lost to Federer in the championship, and will face the winner of Andy Roddick and Lleyton Hewitt.

The loss ended a 26-match win streak for Federer, and a 24-match win streak over Top 10 players stretching back to 2003.