Throwback: Roger Federer wins first Australian Open title over Marat Safin

Roger Federer won the first Major title at Wimbledon 2003, missing a couple of chances to become world no. 1 that summer and having to wait until February 2, 2004, to achieve that.

Roger lifted the second Major trophy at the Australian Open a day earlier, beating Marat Safin 7-6, 6-4, 6-2 in two hours and 15 minutes for the first Melbourne Park crown from the fifth Down Under trip. Marat had to skip many tournaments in 2003 due to an injury and started all over at the beginning of the next season, ranked 86th. The former finalist dethroned Andre Agassi and Andy Roddick in grueling encounters, not having much left in the tank for Roger.

Federer faced only three break points and got broken twice, erasing that deficit with five return breaks from no less than 18 opportunities, controlling the scoreboard to conquer the season's first Major. Roger used his booming serve and the first groundstroke to dominate the shortest rallies up to four strokes, losing that advantage in the more extended rallies but still doing enough to seal the deal in straight sets, playing better and better as the encounter progressed.

Safin grabbed a break at 1-1 before Federer claimed three straight games to open a 4-2 lead. The Russian reduced the deficit with a break and fended off two set points at 5-6 to introduce a tie break that Roger won 7-3 following a forehand down the line winner. Roger earned a break at 2-2 in set number two and brought the set home on his serve at 5-4, previously wasting three set points on the return in the previous game.

Pushing strongly towards the finish line, Federer stole Safin's serve at 1-1 in set number three and secured another break at 3-1. Roger extended the advantage with a glorious forehand winner and sealed the deal when Marat sprayed a forehand mistake at 2-5, celebrating the second Major crown.