Safin lifts trophy at China Open
(Agencies)
Updated: 2004-09-19 21:51

Russian Marat Safin ended a 22-month title drought with a 7-6 7-5 victory over compatriot Mikhail Youzhny in the final of the China Open on Sunday.

The former world number one, who did not drop a set in Beijing, needed all his experience to claim his first title since winning in Paris in November 2002.

Fifth seed Safin recovered from an early break to win the first-set tiebreak 7-4 thanks to four thundering aces.

The second set went with serve until Safin broke through in the 11th game, Youzhny's nerve crumbling as he double-faulted on break point.

Safin, runner-up at the Australian Open and in Estoril this year, converted his first match point with another huge serve after one hour 37 minutes.

He earned $69,200 for his 12th career victory and edged above Andre Agassi into eighth in the 2004 ATP Champions Race.

The top eight players qualify for the season-ending Tennis Masters Cup in Houston.

Youzhny had beaten three seeded players, Rainer Schuettler, Dominik Hrbaty and Paradorn Srichaphan on his way to the final of the inaugural $500,000 tournament.

The 22-year-old, who was bidding for his second career title, earned $40,700 for reaching his third final.