Exhuberant Russian Marat Safin announced his return as a major force in astonishing fashion today with a thrilling five-set victory over world number one Andy Roddick to set up an enticing Australian Open semi-final clash with Andre Agassi.
It was a performance which showed in all its glory the `New Marat' - the player's own way of referring to the mature version of himself, as opposed to the playboy model he was in 2002 when he reached the final here but then blew his chance of the title when red-hot favourite.
This year there is no bevy of blondes in his camp. Safin is here with his mother and two coaches, determined to regenerate a career which stalled last year when he was forced to spend difficult months out with a wrist injury.
But it proved a blessing in disguise. He went camping in Yosemite National Park, spent relaxing days fishing and drinking wine - and as his wrist recovered, so his love for tennis returned.
The former world number one, currently ranked 86 after six successive first-round defeats last year, is back.
He was leaden-footed in the first set yesterday but took a painkiller for a sore groin - and suddenly the sparks began to fly.
Safin, unseeded, reached the semi-final with a magnificent 2-6 6-3 7-5 6-7 (0/7) 6-4 victory and next he plays Agassi, who strolled through when Sebastien Grosjean retired with a groin strain.
There are elements of the `Old Marat' still evident in his game. The birthday boy - 24 yesterday - still wears his heart on his sleeve, still plays on emotion. But when things were tough against Roddick he dug in resolutely.
The top seed had been in blistering form all tournament and carried that into the first set to break three times - and when Safin began to feel his groin strain it appeared all was lost.
Safin began sluggishly yesterday but he was determined to fight and emerged from that injury time-out a changed man. He loosened up and seemed lighter on his feet - and the confidence returned. Suddenly it was the Muscovite who was bossing things.
Safin was effective at the net and unleashed a number of punishing groundstrokes to break Roddick and then level the piece at one set all. By now his injury concerns seemed forgotten as he produced a third set of wonderful all-court tennis.
The fourth set was tighter. There were few points against the serve, and Roddick twice had to save the set and force a tie-break which he romped 7-0. Roddick had the momentum but could not break when Safin went into his shell for the first few games of the deciding set, and it proved costly when he was broken for a 5-4 lead.
The American earned two break-back points, but Safin saved both on his way to a remarkable victory. Quite how he will fare against Agassi is anyone's guess. It has taken Safin 15 hours and six minutes to reach the semi-finals; Agassi just seven hours, 22 minutes.
"Let's be realistic. How many hours have I spent this week on the court? He hasn't even spent half of it," said Safin. "He is a great player. I will try to play my best tennis."
