In the second set I was playing perfect tennis, I couldn't miss

Marat Safin

Hewitt could find no answer to Safin's inspired play

The match featured the two players who had headed the rankings for most of the year, before a late slump saw Safin slip to third behind Andre Agassi.

Throughout the week, though, Safin had played with a poise and confidence that he usually struggles to maintain for a whole tournament.

And when the opening set came down to a tie-break unusually it was Hewitt who faltered, missing with two forehands as Safin pressed.

If the first set was tight, the second was a demonstration by Safin.

Huge serves and unnerring accuracy from the baseline, especially on the backhand, meant Hewitt could not impose himself on the rallies.

The Parisian crowd sat stunned into near silence as Safin blasted his way to an awesome love set.

And despite Hewitt's expected refusal to give up the ghost in the third set, Safin made the vital break in game five.

Rarely can Hewitt have looked so downbeat on court and Safin served out for the biggest win of his year, and a huge boost ahead of the Masters Cup later this month.