In 2000 and 2005 , Safin won the US Open and the Australian Open . In 2002 and 2004 , Safin played in the last round of the Australian Open , but lost .
Prior to the 2005 Australian Open , Safin had caught fire towards the end of the 2004 season , thanks in part to his hiring of Peter Lundgren , and was seen as among the favorites for the title .