2004 Australian Open Champions
Men's Singles
New world no.1, Roger Federer, displayed breathtaking form when he crushed Russian Marat Safin 7-6, 6-4, 6-2 to become the 2004 Australian Open champion, and claim his second Grand Slam Title. The second seeded Swiss played some awesome tennis to beat Safin in two hours and 15 minutes. Safin, who had spent 17 hours on court to reach the final, claimed he was affected by fatigue, but he had no answer to the power and precision of his opponent.
Women's Singles
Belgian Justine Henin-Hardenne defeated compatriot, Kim Clijsters, to claim her first Australian Open title. World no.1, Henin-Hardenne, made it look all too easy by winning the first set 6-3, but Clijsters fought back dramatically to claim the second set, 4-6. In the decider, Clijsters was robbed of any chance of winning when she delivered a couple of nervous double faults. Henin-Hardenne then found form again and took the third set 6-3.
Men's Doubles
Defending champions, Frenchmen Michael Llodra and Fabrice Santoro, beat the tops seeds, American brothers, Bob and Mike Bryan with ease to become the 2004 Australian Open champions of the men's doubles event. The duo, seeded no.5 for the tournament, celebrated their 7-6 (7-4) 6-3 win with an impromptu strip on the Rod Laver Arena, to huge cheers from spectators. In a spontaneous gesture, the duo stripped to their underwear and flung their clothes into the crowd.
Women's Doubles
Runners-up to last year's final, Spaniard Virginia Ruano Pascual and her Argentine partner; Paola Suarez, defeated Russians Svetlana Kuznetsova and Elena Likhovtseva in straight sets, 6-4, 6-3 to clinch their fifth Grand Slam title. The lackluster Russians only managed to break the top seeded US Open Champions and world number ones once in the entire match.
Mixed Doubles
Martina Navratilova's last match at the Australian Open ended in defeat in the final of the 2004 mixed doubles. Defending champions, Navratilova and Indian partner, Leander Paes were beaten in two sets by 2004 Australian Open champions Elena Bovina and Nenad Zimonjic (6-1, 7-6). Although they were overwhelmed in the first set, Navratilova and Paes played some inspired tennis and almost forced a decider. Navratilova has won 167 singles titles and 173 in doubles including a total of 58 Grand Slam titles in her illustrious career.
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