A BRUISED and battered Marat Safin yesterday won his first match of the Australian summer after needing treatment for injuries suffered in a fight in Moscow.

In one of the most bizarre episodes of his colourful career, Safin fired down 14 aces to beat Italian Simone Bolelli 7-6 (7-5) 6-4 at the Hopman Cup, despite sporting bruises and cuts around his eyes and having a bandaged right thumb.

This month's Australian Open will be his last, with the 28-year-old revealing 2009 would be his final year on tour.

The 2005 Australian Open champion said he could not wait to leave the sport.

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Safin arrived in Perth on Saturday night and immediately asked tournament director Paul McNamee to find him a doctor.

He had not been able to hold a racquet in the week since the fight, which Safin claimed he won despite his wounds.

Safin has extensive bruising around both eyes, a blood-filled left eye and a cut near his right eye, but said his injuries had improved.

"I got in trouble a little bit in Moscow, but it's OK. I can survive," Safin said.

"There was a small problem and I was in the right place at the right time, so let's put it this way.

"Yes, I won the fight. I'm good, I'm OK. I won my match and I didn't play for two months, so I think it's a pretty good match."

Asked if he would miss the sport when he retired, Safin said: "Not really. I like to play, but I like to enjoy my life also. I'm having fun right now.

"I'm looking forward to change my tennis career for something else and I have to wait for another year for it to happen. I'm on to my new life, so I have no pressure and that's why it's easier for me to play good tennis. Hopefully I can enjoy it and get some good results."

Safin did not appear bothered by his injuries on court, saying his serve saved him after his straight-sets win sealed the tie for Russia.

His sister Dinara Safina, the world No. 3, had earlier defeated Flavia Pennetta

7-5 6-3.

The Russian trailed 3-5 in the first set and 0-3 in the second before winning in straight sets.

Wearing shorts and a T-shirt and carrying his racquet bag as he arrived at Perth Airport on Saturday night, Safin received treatment before having a 15-minute hit-up and then enjoying a beer at the Hopman Cup Ball.

McNamee said Safin's professionalism and commitment to the tournament was extraordinary.

"I wasn't sure why he was arriving so late, why he was requesting to play a day later, and now I know why," McNamee said.

"To see him like that, it's amazing that he's come. I know around Marat the unexpected happens, but you couldn't really pick this one.

"When he arrived last night I saw him in the lobby and he didn't look good.

"He said, 'I need two things - I need to see a doctor and I need to practise'.

"I dragged the doctor out of the ball and then he gave him some treatment and then he went and practised.

"He said he had not been able to play in the last week."