Safin beats Hewitt for Australian title

MELBOURNE, Jan. 30 (UPI) -- Russian Marat Safin came from behind and defeated Lleyton Hewitt Sunday for the Australian Open championship.

Safin won 1-6, 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 for his second Grand Slam title, spoiling Hewitt's bid to become the first Australian to win the men's crown in nearly three decades.

Safin was the fourth seed, Hewitt No. 3.

The Russian had defeated world No. 1 Roger Federer in the semifinals. Federer had beaten Safin for the 2004 Australian title.

Safin's other Grand Slam win came at the U.S. Open in 2000.

Serena Williams won the women's title earlier, rallying to beat countrywoman Lindsay Davenport.