Tennis Australian Open Roger Federer is the new Australian Open champion, but it could be argued that Marat Safin did all the hard work for him by knocking out Andy Roddick, the former world number one, and Andre Agassi, the reigning champion, either of whom might have given the Swiss a sterner challenge in yesterday's final.

There was always the danger that the Russian would be too exhausted to offer Federer a sustained challenge, having battled his way through three five-setters in his previous four matches and in total spending eight hours longer on court than Federer over the fortnight. And so it proved, with Safin losing 7-6, 6-4, 6-2. It was his second Australian Open final defeat in three years.

Because Safin was largely drained of energy, the contest was effectively over after one set. Thereafter Federer, who was several notches below his best, became a little over-anxious in his search for outright winners and the tennis was markedly patchy, as finals often are. But few doubted that the best player had won the title - and not only the best but the most enjoyable to watch.

Federer, the reigning Wimbledon champion, has now won two of the last three grand slam titles, as well as the end-of-season Masters Cup. He guaranteed his position as the new world number one when he defeated Spain's Juan Carlos Ferrero here in the semi-final and looks virtually certain to hold on to the position until at least Wimbledon, assuming he remains fit.

The cream has truly risen to the top and, although the other leading players of Federer's generation - Roddick, Ferrero, Safin, Australia's Lleyton Hewitt and the two Argentinians, Guillermo Coria and David Nalbandian - talk about the number one position in terms of it being regularly shuffled around, Federer may dominate them all, just as Pete Sampras dominated his contemporaries.

Certainly Federer has the overwhelming skill and talent to do so. The unanswered question is whether he has the unbending will.

"Mentally Pete was the strongest player on the tour," said Safin yesterday when asked to compare Sampras with the Swiss. "If Pete had a weakness, it was his backhand, and really that only caused him problems on clay. Roger has everything, but Pete was really, really tough."

Perhaps Federer will show the same resolve, although to be making comparisons with Sampras is premature, a difference of 12 grand slam titles to be precise.

Worryingly for his opponents Federer feels he still has scope for considerable improvement. He has the most natural of talents, so much so that sometimes he seems spoilt for choice, although generally his shot selection is excellent.

"When I'm out there I feel like I'm living the game and I know exactly what spins and angles I need. And when it gets important, it feels like I can raise my game."

Safin knew his only chance was to win the opening set and he duly broke Federer's second service game for a 2-1 lead, only for Federer to break back immediately. Two more breaks followed and at 6-5 Safin, who won the US Open title in 2000, had to save two set points. A mistimed Federer backhand gave the Russian an immediate edge in the tie-break but it was short-lived, Federer taking it 7-3 and with it the initiative for the match.