Marat Safin took a giant step toward redemption at the Australian Open, upsetting world No.1 Andy Roddick to earn a place in the semi-finals.

The former world No.1 toppled the reigning US Open champion 2-6 6-3 7-5 6-7 (0-7) 6-4, the result coming as a most welcome 24th birthday present.

For the player who had become renowned for giving up and for allowing his temper to get the better of him, the victory marks the Russian's re-emergence as a force in grand slam tennis.

It came after a year of frustration and disappointment that began with a shoulder injury in Sydney in January and continued with torn tendons in his wrist at last year's Australian Open.

After taking a month off he had to pull out his return tournament, citing fatigue and then was forced out for another three months with a recurrence of his wrist problems.

Safin finished off a year to forget with four consecutive first round losses, with them coming the return of his reputation for being less-than-committed when the chips were down.

As he has explained here though, that was the "old Marat".

The new version, he says, doesn't give up - and he proved it.

"These kind of matches brings you confidence," Safin said after beating Todd Martin in five sets in the third round.

"It shows you that you have to stay in the match till the end.

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