The 2002 finalist, who has slipped to 86th in the world after an injury-plagued year, showed glimpses of the form that swept him to number one in the rankings just over three years ago.

The big-serving Russian took his game to another level after an incredible point set up a break in the seventh game of the third set, when Safin produced a sublime drop shot and followed it up with a lunging volley.

"I didn't come here just to make a couple of rounds and just be satisfied with being in the fourth round or whatever," said the 2000 U.S. Open champion.

"If I'm coming here, I will try to win it. I had a lot of months off the court but I still want to play...I want to be back and I want to finish the year (as) number one."

Safin, playing his first grand slam event since the 2003 Australian Open due to a persistent wrist injury, put himself through a punishing pre-season training regime in an effort to return in competitive shape.

"It's kind of tough... to put yourself and get the motivation back. But finally you get it and you don't want to let it go," said the Monaco-based Safin, who celebrates his 24th birthday on January 27.

HARD WORK

"I've been working hard for one and a half months and I hope I'll be paid somehow for... running all over the mountains and just pumping weights."

That intense preparation, he said, would be the key to challenging the elite players such as Andre Agassi, Andy Roddick and Roger Federer at the top of the men's game.

"There is no special formula for that," said Safin, who will play Finland's Jarkko Nieminen in the second round. "Being consistent. Who will be more consistent and who will be mentally tougher? Then you're going to end up number one."

Safin's Australian Open build-up paid dividends against Vahaly, ranked two places above Safin in the ATP rankings.

"It's difficult to make conclusions about my fitness, about my physical condition," said Safin. "But since the beginning of the year, I played four matches -- I won three and lost one, so basically I'm pretty calm."

A recurring wrist complaint destroyed his year and saw his ranking slide from No.3 at the end of 2002 to No.77 12 months later.

But while he didn't enjoy his time on the sidelines, the soon-to-be 24-year-old (January 27) said it presented him with the ideal opportunity to reflect on his game.

Safin made a successful return to the Australian Open, after being forced out with the wrist injury prior to the third-round last year, by accounting for American Brian Vahaly 6-2 3-6 6-3 6-4 in the opening round on Monday night.

And after passing his first test of Australian Open 2004, the baseliner boldly stated his aim was to claim the No.1 ranking by year's end.

Currently sitting at No.86, Safin knows the job is all ahead of him.

"I want to be back and I want to finish the year No.1," he said.

The Russian added that his goal could be achieved by simply being consistent.

"There is no special formula for that. You have to play well during all the big tournaments and try to make a smart schedule for yourself, try to work hard and not to lose the matches you have to win."

"There's a lot of guys competing and a lot of guys in great shape…and the more consistent and mentally tougher player will end up No.l."

Safin said his rapid rise over the previous four years had been a blur, with no time to analyse his strengths and weaknesses.

But, after being limited to playing in only 13 tournaments last year, his enforced break meant he had little else to do.

"(It was) quite frustrating, but it was (also) really good," Safin, the runner-up to Swede Thomas Johansson at Australian Open 2002, said.

"I had some time off. It makes you think a lot about your needs, what should you do, and you see tennis [from a different perspective] outside of the court. You have a completely different view."

"When you're playing all the time, you have no time off. It's difficult to adjust and see what you're doing on the court. But when you have time off, it's a completely different story."

He said he has also rediscovered his hunger for the game.

"I had a lot of months off the court, but still I want to play and I have motivation. I want to do well."

Prior to the commencement of Safin's 2004 season, which saw him representing his country alongside Anastasia Myskina at the Hopman Cup, he endured six weeks of hard, physical training.

Safin said this time was spent 'pumping weights' and 'running all over the mountains' in Monaco, where he resides.

After his four-set victory over Vahaly, the Russian felt it was too early to make a call on his form and fitness after just one match, but made it clear that he expected to be in Melbourne well into the second week.

"It's difficult to make some conclusions about my physical condition. It was just the first match and I'll see how it's going in the future."

"It's (the comeback) going quite well, but sometimes you get frustrated because you think you can finish in three sets and then you're losing the second set and basically the guy (Vahaly) was taking me over in the third set."

"I didn't come here just to make a couple of rounds and just be satisfied of being in the fourth-round or in the second-round, or whatever I will do here."

"If I'm coming here, I will try to do my best. I will try to win it, why not?"