World number one Roger Federer had no complaints after he was beaten by Marat Safin in a dramatic five-set semi-final at the Australian Open on Thursday.
The defending champion saved six match points but missed a match-point chance of his own in the fourth set tiebreak before slipping to a 5-7, 6-4, 5-7, 7-6, 9-7 defeat, ending his run of 26 consecutive victories.
"Losing by having match point is always going to hurt no matter how the match was, but at least I can leave feeling good because I gave it all I've got," he said.
"He was the better player. I'm hoping for a rematch but I am thrilled to be a part of it. That's very clear.
"I haven't been involved in too many such great matches.
"It is really unfortunate. I thought I played really well and a point here and there changed the match. That was a pity but at least I gave it a fight.
"I had chances in the fifth set. I had break points and love 30s.
"But I surprised myself by coming back, because I had all these problems."
Federer needed treatment for back problems during the four-hour 28-minute match and came back from 5-3 down in the final set.
{{/usCountry}}Federer needed treatment for back problems during the four-hour 28-minute match and came back from 5-3 down in the final set.
{{/usCountry}}"He has a great serve and was obviously more fresh than me. I didn't think I could get back, but I had a feeling, like he gave me a second chance and I almost took it.
"I thought I would have lost the (match) point anyway, he came up with a good shot to lob me. You have to have some guts to do that, so well done.
"I just told myself I had to try everything tonight, and get two days off and be fit for the final.
"My back was fine, just a nerve which went all the way to my finger. What was bothering me most was a blister on my foot, which I had from the second set."
Safin will meet either second-seeded American Andy Roddick or third seed Lleyton Hewitt of Australia in Sunday's final.