Marat Safin captured his first title of the year on Sunday, routing fellow Russian Yevgeny Kafelnikov 6-2 6-2 at the President's Cup tennis tournament.

The 21-year-old first seed defended his crown here and recorded his ninth career title after leading the Tour with seven last year.

In 1994, Kafelnikov, seeded second this year, defeated fellow Russian Alexander Volkov at Adelaide for his first career title.

Safin avenged a 6-1 6-2 defeat to Kafelnikov at Rome in 1999.

Safin and Kafelnikov made history at last week's US Open, becoming the first pair of Russians to advance to the semi-final of the same Grand Slam.

Safin was dethroned by Pete Sampras and Kafelnikov was trounced by eventual champion Lleyton Hewitt.

The erratic Kafelnikov has won once this year, claiming the Marseilles Open in February with a straight-sets victory over France's Sebastien Grosjean.

In last year's President's Cup final, Safin defeated Italy's Davide Sanguinetti 6-3 6-4.