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The 2005 Australian Open is mainly remembered for one thing: Marat Safin's epic five-set win over Roger Federer in the semifinals.
But beyond that, the 2005 AO is one of the most important majors in terms of historical importance. First, there was one final glory for Safin's underachieving career. There was Federer's aura of invincibility in its prime (he hadn't lost to a top 10 player in 2004). There was Andre Agassi's last QF appearance at his best major. There was also Lleyton Hewitt's best run at his home major. In fact, Safin's epic win overshadowed Hewitt's epic win over David Nalbandian in the QF (10-8 fifth set). Finally, there was the 4th round match between Hewitt and Rafael Nadal in which Hewitt rallied from 2 sets to 1 down. That match showed Nadal's victory over Federer in 2004 was no fluke and that he would indeed be a force to be reckoned with.
So the 2005 AO was a great crossroads of past, present, and future. It signified the dawn of the Sampras/Agassi era, the prime dominance of Federer, the final hurrah for Safin, the most inspired run by Hewitt to bring the trophy back home, and the emergence of Nadal. Do you agree how historical this major was?
But beyond that, the 2005 AO is one of the most important majors in terms of historical importance. First, there was one final glory for Safin's underachieving career. There was Federer's aura of invincibility in its prime (he hadn't lost to a top 10 player in 2004). There was Andre Agassi's last QF appearance at his best major. There was also Lleyton Hewitt's best run at his home major. In fact, Safin's epic win overshadowed Hewitt's epic win over David Nalbandian in the QF (10-8 fifth set). Finally, there was the 4th round match between Hewitt and Rafael Nadal in which Hewitt rallied from 2 sets to 1 down. That match showed Nadal's victory over Federer in 2004 was no fluke and that he would indeed be a force to be reckoned with.
So the 2005 AO was a great crossroads of past, present, and future. It signified the dawn of the Sampras/Agassi era, the prime dominance of Federer, the final hurrah for Safin, the most inspired run by Hewitt to bring the trophy back home, and the emergence of Nadal. Do you agree how historical this major was?