Russian media heaped praise on Marat Safin on Monday following his giant-killing run at the Australian Open which only ended in the final.
"Undefeated" read a front-page headline in the Sovietsky Sport newspaper despite Safin's straight-sets defeat by Switzerland's Roger Federer in Sunday's final.
"Safin's courageous comeback to the tennis elite overshadowed the sports side of yesterday's final."
"We are still thankful to you, Marat," echoed the country's other sports daily, Sport-Express.
Safin, plagued by injuries for most of 2003 as his rankings slipped to 86th, made a triumphant return at the first Grand Slam of the year.
The giant Russian also became a sentimental favourite among the Melbourne crowd with his dramatic run to the final.
Considered a huge underdog, Safin toppled then world number one Andy Roddick in spectacular style on his 24th birthday in the quarter-final and followed that with an equally gripping win over defending champion Andre Agassi in the last four.
"Safin has returned," Sovietsky Sport said.
"He overcame his injuries and two Grand Slam champions in 2003 -- Roddick and Agassi. He fought for more than 20 hours on the Melbourne courts. He didn't win the Australian Open but he became the champion in courage."
HEROIC FEAT
Having played 27 sets to get to the final, Safin simply ran out of gas against the stylish Federer.
"What Marat has done after all his problems last year is nothing short of a heroic feat, it's a miracle," said Russian tennis chief and his Davis Cup coach Shamil Tarpishchev.
The fact that Safin knocked out five Americans on his way to the final did not escape the Russian press.
"Safin-U.S.A 5-0," gloated Sovietsky Sport's front-page last Friday after Safin's epic five-set victory over Agassi, displaying Russia's glee at beating their bitter rivals.
Safin's fairytale comeback in Melbourne also helped ease the pain of Russian fans still in shock following Spartak Moscow captain Yegor Titov's failed drugs test, which jeopardised the country's chances of playing in the European soccer championship.
The whole country has been on edge since Wales asked European governing body UEFA to overturn Russia's 1-0 win in their Euro 2004 playoff and award them a retroactive 3-0 victory that could give them a place in the finals in Portugal.
