Marat Safin turned Lleyton Hewitt's Australian Open dream into his worst nightmare with a spirited display in the first-ever final held under lights at Melbourne Park.

The fourth-seeded Russian rallied from a set down to triumph 1-6 6-3 6-4 6-4 and add a second grand slam trophy to his 2000 US Open title.

Hewitt had been bidding to become the first Australian champion since unseeded Mark Edmondson upset John Newcombe in the 1976 final.

But an unexpected mid-match collapse destroyed the 23-year-old's hopes of grabbing his third major crown.

The 2001 US Open champion and 2002 Wimbledon winner appeared in control when he opened up a 3-0 lead in the most pivotal of third sets.

But Hewitt lost his composure after a linesman foot-faulted him and, with the door slightly ajar, Safin seized the moment to reel off five straight games and motor to a set and a break up.

He never looked back and eventually prevailed after two hours and 45 minutes.

Hewitt agreed Safin's break back midway through the third set had been the major turning point in the match.

"That game was important," he said.

"But the foot fault had nothing to do with it in the end because I ended up winning that point anyway.

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