From the Cyprus Mail, Nemanja Bjedov.
MARCOS Baghdatis has called a premature end to his 2010 season after he withdraw from the Swiss Indoors Basel and the BNP Paribas Masters in Paris.
The Cypriot suffered a right shoulder injury in Vienna last week and was advised by his physio to rest for a fortnight in order to avoid aggravating the injury.
“I am very sorry that I will not be able to see my fans in Basel and Paris this year. I injured my right shoulder in Vienna and have been advised to rest so as not to cause any further damage,” said Baghdatis in a statement published on his official website.
“I am disappointed that the season has come to an early end, but I am very happy with my progress in 2010 and look forward to seeing you all on tour next year. Thanks for your support,” he added.
After recovering, the world number 20 will work hard during the short off season in preparation for the 2011 campaign which he will commence at the eagerly-anticipated Mubadala World Tennis Championship in Abu Dhabi featuring an all-star line up of Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer, Robin Soderling, Tomas Berdych and Jo-Wilfred Tsonga.
The tournament will be held at the recently upgraded Abu Dhabi International Tennis Complex at Zayed Sports City.
“Abu Dhabi is a very special place to me. I have enjoyed the best season of my career so far and it all started with a victory in Abu Dhabi, so it holds great memories,” said world number one Nadal.
“The early season momentum gained in Abu Dhabi is good preparation for the Australian Open,” the Spaniard added.
“Everything about Abu Dhabi and the tournament - from the weather, facilities and the atmosphere in the stadium, make it the ideal place to start my season. Having seen the strength of the field, I look forward to returning to defend my title in a fantastic city that loves tennis and is emerging as one of the world’s great sporting destinations,” concluded the 24-year-old..
Returning to Abu Dhabi for the third straight year, Federer said he is also looking forward to the tournament. “To win against such a strong field will be the perfect start to the 2011 season, as this world class tournament has put Abu Dhabi on the global tennis map,” he said.
“It’s personally rewarding to play here and Abu Dhabi is a place where I always want to win.”
Thursday 4 November 2010
Sunday 26 September 2010
Baghdatis in Malayisa (again)
Marcos is playing in Malaysia this week. Too many decent players there for just 250 points – I wonder if it is worth the trip. He lost to Youzhny here last year and Youzhny is here again, on even greater form.
Wednesday 15 September 2010
Baghdatis and the Davis Cup
I think I agree with Marcos in dropping out of the Davis Cup. It is a one man bandwagon much like the British one. But I doubt it will help his performance. He needs to drop the kebabs.
Thursday 26 August 2010
Anything is possible with enigma Baghdatis
Look what I found
(Published in the Cyprus Mail, on August 24, 2010)
CYPRIOT tennis star Marcos Baghdatis is a bit of an enigma. Big things were expected of the Limassol native after he reached the final of the Australian Open in 2006, and he reached a career high of number eight in the rankings after making it to the last four at Wimbledon later that year.
Since those heady heights, the 25-year-old has suffered from inconsistency and injury. A crowd favourite wherever he plays around the world due to his infectious enthusiasm and breathtaking shot-making, Baghdatis is capable of a stunning win one day, followed by a dismal defeat to a lower-ranked opponent the following day.
Despite a respectable four career titles, the latest coming in Sydney in January, nobody really knows what to expect when Baghdatis steps out on court. However, he has been showing signs of getting back to his best this summer, reaching the final in Washington a couple of weeks ago and the semi-finals of the prestigious Cincinnati Masters last week. Upsets are nothing new to Baghdatis, who knocked off four of the hardest hitters on Tour since he opened play in Ohio last Sunday. He defeated Marin Cilic, Thomaz Bellucci, Tomas Berdych and world number one Rafa Nadal for the first time.
A semi-final clash with Swiss maestro Roger Federer was a step too far though, the Cypriot making no impression on the 16-time Grand Slam champion as he was swept aside in only 70 minutes. Television commentators made a good point about Baghdatis’ game following the loss.
“There is a marked difference in the quality of his first and second serve,” they said. “When he is serving well, (as he did against Nadal with 18 aces), he can dictate play.
“But when the serve is not working, he can really struggle.”
Nevertheless, his recent performances have seen the national icon, who proudly displays the island’s flag all over his clothing, rise to number 18 in the rankings. He is also the only player on Tour to beat two world number ones this season, after his victory over then top-ranked Federer at Indian Wells in March. “It was a great week for me and I am now back in the Top 20 and I feel great,” Baghdatis said on Sunday. “I am fit and playing the top guys well.
“I am working hard and being patient and more success will come.”
With only a week to go before the final Grand Slam of 2010 - the US Open - there is one last stop on the Tour before we get to Flushing Meadows. This week offers the Pilot Pen Tennis tournament in New Haven where Baghdatis is the number one seed. But will he crash out early or end up lifting the trophy? With his track record, anything is possible.
(Published in the Cyprus Mail, on August 24, 2010)
CYPRIOT tennis star Marcos Baghdatis is a bit of an enigma. Big things were expected of the Limassol native after he reached the final of the Australian Open in 2006, and he reached a career high of number eight in the rankings after making it to the last four at Wimbledon later that year.
Since those heady heights, the 25-year-old has suffered from inconsistency and injury. A crowd favourite wherever he plays around the world due to his infectious enthusiasm and breathtaking shot-making, Baghdatis is capable of a stunning win one day, followed by a dismal defeat to a lower-ranked opponent the following day.
Despite a respectable four career titles, the latest coming in Sydney in January, nobody really knows what to expect when Baghdatis steps out on court. However, he has been showing signs of getting back to his best this summer, reaching the final in Washington a couple of weeks ago and the semi-finals of the prestigious Cincinnati Masters last week. Upsets are nothing new to Baghdatis, who knocked off four of the hardest hitters on Tour since he opened play in Ohio last Sunday. He defeated Marin Cilic, Thomaz Bellucci, Tomas Berdych and world number one Rafa Nadal for the first time.
A semi-final clash with Swiss maestro Roger Federer was a step too far though, the Cypriot making no impression on the 16-time Grand Slam champion as he was swept aside in only 70 minutes. Television commentators made a good point about Baghdatis’ game following the loss.
“There is a marked difference in the quality of his first and second serve,” they said. “When he is serving well, (as he did against Nadal with 18 aces), he can dictate play.
“But when the serve is not working, he can really struggle.”
Nevertheless, his recent performances have seen the national icon, who proudly displays the island’s flag all over his clothing, rise to number 18 in the rankings. He is also the only player on Tour to beat two world number ones this season, after his victory over then top-ranked Federer at Indian Wells in March. “It was a great week for me and I am now back in the Top 20 and I feel great,” Baghdatis said on Sunday. “I am fit and playing the top guys well.
“I am working hard and being patient and more success will come.”
With only a week to go before the final Grand Slam of 2010 - the US Open - there is one last stop on the Tour before we get to Flushing Meadows. This week offers the Pilot Pen Tennis tournament in New Haven where Baghdatis is the number one seed. But will he crash out early or end up lifting the trophy? With his track record, anything is possible.
Wednesday 17 March 2010
Baghdatis beats Federer (finally!)
So Marcos has beaten Him. After half a dozen attempts.
Here are the highlights:
And here is Marcos talking all about it.
Tommy Robredo up next. Why do they have to play in the middle of the night in America? Jee. On Novasports 4 for the privileged.
Here are the highlights:
And here is Marcos talking all about it.
Tommy Robredo up next. Why do they have to play in the middle of the night in America? Jee. On Novasports 4 for the privileged.
Wednesday 10 February 2010
Bagdatis beats James Blake
Straight sets, 6-4, 6-2. First ever encounter with Blake, 1-0 to us.
Davydenko up next... tough test, early on. If anything though, history is on our side. Lost to him in 2006, but beaten him twice since. Davydenko, seeded 2nd in this tournament, is of course the bookies' favourite.
Davydenko up next... tough test, early on. If anything though, history is on our side. Lost to him in 2006, but beaten him twice since. Davydenko, seeded 2nd in this tournament, is of course the bookies' favourite.
Baghdatis in Rotterdam
Marcos is up against James Blake for this ATP 500 tournament. The 500 points are badly needed.
Game starts at 730pm CET. I am not sure Marcos has ever played here before.
Game starts at 730pm CET. I am not sure Marcos has ever played here before.
Monday 1 February 2010
Baghdatis and his kebabs
It has been common knowledge that Marcos likes his food. Kebabs is one of his favourite dishes. A Melbourne kebab house has gone as far as naming a version of the quintessentially Cypriot dish after him. Rumour has it he used to sneak out for a kebab or two at 4am before major games.
Apparently serious tennis players don't do that. Someone pointed this out to him recently, and if you believe the press, those days are over . He is now:
Apparently serious tennis players don't do that. Someone pointed this out to him recently, and if you believe the press, those days are over . He is now:
- stopping futsal (even I used to see him knocking a ball around in Cyprus)
- he has cut out beer drinking
- he has cut out those infamous kebabs
Saturday 30 January 2010
Thursday 21 January 2010
Baghdatis beats David Ferrer
He is the Australian Open.
I predict that the Hewitt match will be rostered for the Rod Laver arena. We beat him last week, we should beat him again. Just like at Wimbledon 2007. Take revenge for last year's loss.
Wednesday 20 January 2010
Baghdatis to meet Ferrer.
Paolo Lorenzi was no match for Marcos, who brushed him aside with a 6-2 6-4 6-4 win. Worryingly, David Ferrer (our next opponent) easily won his first game. He has beaten us twice in the past.
Match most likely to be played on Thursday. I wander which court we will be allocated.
Match most likely to be played on Thursday. I wander which court we will be allocated.
Saturday 16 January 2010
Baghdatis wins Sydney 2010
First ever encounter vs Gasquet, won in straight sets (6-4,7-6)! What a comeback, after trailing 5-2!
A few Euros in the bank and 250 much appreciated ATP points. Not a bad way to start the year. Let's keep up the momentum Marcos.
A few Euros in the bank and 250 much appreciated ATP points. Not a bad way to start the year. Let's keep up the momentum Marcos.
Friday 15 January 2010
Baghdatis spears a Fish!
Could we please meet Mardy Fish over and again? 3 for us in encounters to date. 0 for the Fish.
Final is vs Richard Gasquet. These two have yet to meet to date. For those who want to watch it, it is on (Greek) Eurosport 2. 10:30am (Athens Time)
Final is vs Richard Gasquet. These two have yet to meet to date. For those who want to watch it, it is on (Greek) Eurosport 2. 10:30am (Athens Time)
Thursday 14 January 2010
Baghdatis beats Hewitt (again)
With this 2-1 win Marcos is through to the semis. Head to head, it is 2-1 to Marcos now.
Mardy Fish next. He's ranked below us (cough, i thought we had hit rock bottom gov?) plus he's felt the wrath of Marcos twice in the past. Marcos dismissed him last week in Brisbane, straight sets. The omens are good.
Mardy Fish next. He's ranked below us (cough, i thought we had hit rock bottom gov?) plus he's felt the wrath of Marcos twice in the past. Marcos dismissed him last week in Brisbane, straight sets. The omens are good.
Wednesday 13 January 2010
Marcos Baghdatis in Australia!
Marcos started the year in true fashion, crashing out of the Brisbane 250 with a rather embarrassing 6-0, 6-1 defeat to Thomas Berdych. However, he’s found time to occupy himself with Miss Universe (check out the photo!)
Is there a cunning plan? Will we bounce back? Is 2010 the year?
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