'I was a little too tired'

Exhausted Safin's improbable run finally over

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) -- After more than 20 hours of tennis and seven rounds at the Australian Open, Marat Safin said what everyone else could see Sunday: "I ran out of gas."

His zip out of his serve, his bounce out of his step, Safin was defeated 7-6 (3), 6-4, 6-2 by Roger Federer of Switzerland in the championship final.

In the first stage of a comeback from wrist and other injuries that restricted him to only 13 tournaments last year, Safin was only a shadow of the player he had been in earlier rounds when he beat Andy Roddick in the quarterfinals and Andre Agassi in the semifinals.

While his returns and forehand smashes hit the line in the match against Roddick, they went out by inches on Sunday against Federer.

His 31 aces against Agassi were reduced to just three Sunday.

"I was out of energy, my legs were just too tired," said Safin.

"I was a little too tired to keep up with him. I felt that I was missing just a little bit.

"Against Roger, you have to do better than that. I'm not playing a yo-yo, he knows how to play tennis."

Federer had 40 winners and 28 unforced errors. Safin had only 19 winners and 41 unforced errors. He saved two set points in the first and three in the second but gave Federer 18 break-point chances, way too many.

Growing in frustration, Safin twice slammed his racket into the court, breaking it once and getting a code violation. He shook his head and muttered to himself throughout.

Safin had been the workhorse of this tournament. He played 30 sets in seven rounds, matching American Harold Solomon's record played in the French Open in 1976. Solomon lost the final at Roland Garros in 1976 in four sets to Italian Adriano Panatta.

Safin was also attempting to become the first player since Michael Stich in 1991 to beat three reigning Grand Slam champions in the same tournament. Safin defeated 2003 U.S. Open champion Roddick in the quarters, defending Australian Open champion Agassi in the semis and faced Federer, the Wimbledon champion, in the final.

In 2003, the Russian had dropped out of the top 50 for the first time since 1997. Sitting 86th before the Australian Open, his ranking will likely now improve to the low 30s, an ATP official said Sunday.

Safin had several exchanges with spectators in the third set who questioned his commitment.

"They paid [for] the ticket for the final," said Safin. "One guy is half-dying, another one is playing his best tennis. They want to see a little bit of entertainment."

Federer said he felt sorry for Safin during that exchange.

"It's not easy, he was trying, and they almost gave him a hard time," said Federer. "It's not the time to joke around, he's there to win the Australian Open."

Federer said before the match that he was glad that Safin was back playing his best tennis. The match Sunday did nothing to change that.

"He's a fair guy," said Federer. "It was a pleasure to play him."

A finalist in Australia in 2002, Safin won over the crowd at Rod Laver Arena throughout the tournament. He thanked them several times Sunday for their support.

"For me, it's great, I never would have thought I would be in the final this week," said Safin.

"If you look at it realistically, it's been a great two weeks. I will have another chance to beat him again. I would have liked to have won the final, but I will survive."