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.”
Showing posts with label Cyprus Mail. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Cyprus Mail. Show all posts
Thursday, 4 November 2010
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.
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