Marat Safin lambasted Australian Open officials as pathetic after he once again hit the self-destruct button on Friday.

During an explosive third-round showdown with Andy Roddick, Safin sulked, screamed and shrieked his way to a 7-6, 2-6, 6-4, 7-6 defeat.

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The combustible Russian's anger boiled over as he blasted tournament referee Wayne McKewen for making him play on what he considered was a wet surface following a rain interruption.

"They have been so pathetic on this subject. It was a joke," the 2005 champion told reporters.

"I really am just so disappointed that people are so blind, they don't want to see anything...it's a nonsense for me.

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"Nobody cleaned the outside of the court.. it was really wet and I'm showing it to them. And the guys are saying, 'No, you have to play'. Why (do) I have to put my health in doubt?

"If I slip and if I get injured and if something happens..."

The match was briefly interrupted at the end of the third set because of rain and once the roof had been closed on the Rod Laver Arena, the Russian let rip because the court had not been wiped dry to his satisfaction.

As Roddick took up his place behind the baseline, the Russian stubbornly sat rooted to his chair. Even when McKewen came up and ordered him to play on, the Russian continued to protest loudly.

HEATED EXCHANGE

After what seemed like an eternity, and with the growing possibility of being defaulted from the match, the Russian got up and completed the game but refused to be quiet.

"This guy (McKewen) comes in and says it's okay. He has no idea... he's never played tennis in his life," Safin yelled at French umpire Pascal Maria.

The heated exchange ended with Safin swearing at the umpire which earned the Russian a warning for audible obscenity -- and almost certainly a hefty fine.

He continued to let his frustrations known during the changeovers, glaring up at Maria from his courtside chair.

The umpire was then left red-faced after a call he overruled at 1-1 in the fourth set was challenged by Safin. When Hawk-eye technology proved Safin right, the Russian roared his delight and defiantly stared at the umpire.

"If you're not sure, don't call it," he raged at Maria.

"You see what's gonna happen? I cannot argue with you as you have all the power."

He continued the heated debate long after the three hours 12-minute contest had ended.

"He's getting paid for this. I'm getting paid for what I'm doing," Safin said. "Then he's overruling the ball that is in. So if you are so sure, it must be out, but he's overruling the linesman."