Safin equals Becker

Safin will be the man to beat at the Masters-Cup next week as the Russian showed a clear domination of the Indoor season.

Safin who won in Madrid two weeks ago beating Agassi and Nalbandian entered one of his favorite tournament with a boosting spirit and showed no mercy against Stepanek who was playing his first final in a Masters-Series event.

The 26-year old took a set to settle into the match as Safin's serve was unstopable.

In the second set both players exchange a break of serve but when Stepanek had two break points in the 6th game Safin saved them with a bakchand winner and an ace. At that stage the Karvina native didin't take enough risks and let Safin close the game.

In the tie-break which Safin won 7-5 , Stepanek once again showed nice volley skills but showed nerves when he could have made the difference.

Safin waited the 8th game of the third set, which he won 6-3, to seal the deal , relax, hit backhand winners and have a decisive break.

Later Safin recognised he got lucky:

"I did not expect him to play that well because it was his first time in a final. He had a couple of chances to get back in the match but luck was on my side,"

Safin has now 14 titles including one Grand Slam and 5 Masters-Series and will look forward to a showdown meeting with Roger Federer in Houston:

"Nobody really looks forward to playing against Federer, under any circumstances, because the way he's playing right now, this year, is way too good...Roddick played three, four finals this year, and Federer beat him quite easily...You have to be in really good condition to beat Roger. I will try to do my best and try to compete with him. That will be quite an effort for me."admitted Safin.