Serena and Marat Take Australian Singles Titles

The inventors of set scoring for tennis must have understood the value of being able to put your mistakes behind you. Serena Williams and Marat Safin both overcame poor first sets to prevail for the 2005 Australian Open singles titles.

The 2-6, 6-3, 6-0 score of the women's final tells much of the story. Lindsay Davenport was in great form through the first third of the second set, while Serena was contending with an injury to her back or rib. After some help from the trainer, though, Serena improved steadily, while Lindsay quickly faded. In the final set, Serena's first-serve percentage rose to 80%, and Lindsay won only eight points.

Marat Safin seemed to use up all of his bad tennis in his first set against Lleyton Hewitt. Hewitt, always determined and focused, was all the more so in trying to be the first Australian man to win the singles title since 1979. Once Safin shook off his nerves, though, he was simply too powerful and accurate. Marat displayed spectacular shotmaking as he took the next three sets, winning 1-6, 6-3, 6-4, 6-4.