Safin tames Israeli Sela in another five-setter

MELBOURNE, Jan 17 (Reuters) Former champion Marat Safin survived another tense five-set match to beat 21-year-old Israeli Dudi Sela 6-3 5-7 4-6 7-6 6-0 in the Australian Open second round today.

Safin, the 2005 winner who missed last year's tournament through injury, was within two points of defeat in the fourth set before coming through his second marathon contest in three days.

Safin, seeded 26th, started well and overpowered Sela in the first set, but the Israeli, ranked 202nd in the world, grew in confidence as his opponent started to make errors and took the next two.

Safin broke Sela's serve twice in the fourth set but the 21-year-old Israeli hit back to level and was two points from victory when the players were forced off court by rain.

The delay galvanised Safin, however, and he held serve to set up a tiebreak he won 7-4 before romping through the final set to clinch victory in three hours 21 minutes.

REUTERS SAM ND1538