Review of the 2008 season. Oh, Marcos Baghdatis, where art thou?

You know where I am going with this.

The year started quite well. Ranked 16^th, 2008 began with a memorable match vs Lleyton Hewitt in round 3 of the Aussie Open. And even though Marcos lost the match (in the early hours of the morning - perhaps the latest ever finish of a grand slam match), he seemed poised for major achievements.

But Baghdatis would be hampered by a back injury and other health concerns and only managed to compete in four events after Wimbledon, retiring in 3 of them. He posted just 14 match victories for the entire season and swapped 3 coaches. Baghdatis begins 2009 ranked 98^th and has been branded as one of this season’s Least Improved Male Player.

I have come across articles already referring to Marcos as a one-slam wonder. Oh, Marcos Baghdatis, where art thou?

Baghdatis into 3rd round of 2008 Australian Open

Marcos could not have wished for a harder start to 2008 and the Australian Open. After dispatching two former champions he is back on the radars. Marcos made an easy job of ageing Thomas Johansson and a not so easy job of Marat Safin.

Safin looked like making a strong comeback by taking 2 easy sets to level the game 2-2, but Marcos pulled himself together at the end to wrap up the 5 set thriller. In this game, Marcos was penalised with two foot faults (!) of which at least one was a wrong call. HawkEye does not cover foot faults so despite clear evidence on a court side video display, Marcos could not appeal. He laughed though.

Evening centre court game vs Hewitt tomorrow. Vocal Australian vs Cypriot crowd, I am sure it will make good TV. Marcos has only played Hewitt once in the past beating him in the quarters of Wimbledon 2006. Despite Hewitt's home advantage, the bookies have Marcos down as the favourite.