Melbourne: Andre Agassi, magnificent in defeat to Marat Safin in a five-set classic semi-final, today (Jan 29, 2004) said he would be back again next year to shoot for a fifth Australian Open title.

The unseeded Russian played one of the greatest matches of his turbulent career to end 33-year-old Agassi's unconquered 26-match reign at the Australian Open, 7-6 (8/6), 7-6 (8/6), 5-7, 1-6, 6-3 in 3hr 42min.

Safin's tour de force win was Agassi's first loss here since going down to compatriot Vince Spadea in the round of 16 in the 1999 Grand Slam event.

Agassi will leave for home with wife Steffi Graf and their two kids while 24-year-old Safin will play in Sunday's final against either second seed Roger Federer of Switzerland or Spain's third seed Juan Carlos Ferrero, whose semi-final is tomorrow.

Agassi, who would have been the 11th oldest Grand Slam finalist if he had won today, was asked at his press conferences the chances of seeing him again here next year.

"Right now, pretty good. I mean I have no plans to do otherwise," he said.

"But a year's a long time. I really look forward to being back."

Also raising speculation that this might be Agassi's last trip to play in Melbourne was his customary wave of acknowledgement to all four sections of the Rod Laver Arena crowd.

"I was just saying thank you to them," he said. "They've been great to me over the years. Just a lot of fun to compete in front of."