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Baghdatis eager to get the new year off to a flying start
Back to winning ways: Marcos Baghdatis ended 2009 by winning the Stockholm Open, his third ATP career title
MARCOS Baghdatis will take on American Mardy Fish in his first match of the new season in the opening round of the Brisbane International which begins today in the state capital of Queensland, featuring a centre court named after local hero Pat Rafter.
“It is a tough tournament because it is the first of the year. A lot of players do not have a lot of matches on their legs and it is not an easy tournament. But I think everybody has a chance in this one and it will be a nice fight,” commented Baghdatis.
World No.7 Andy Roddick is the top seed and Baghdatis sees the American as the biggest threat as the pair could meet in the semi-finals. “He is the top seed, he is Andy Roddick and he is always tough to beat. But, like I said, it is the beginning of the year; you never know what will happen,” said Baghdatis.
The Cypriot number one will look to make a strong start to the new season and make the most of the progress he made at the end of 2009, lifting himself to 42nd place in the ATP South African Airways Rankings. He ended last year on a high, capturing his third ATP World Tour title at the Stockholm Open, beating Olivier Rochus of Belgium in the final.
“Things really looked up for me at the end of last year,” commented Baghdatis. “I was not playing very well when I left last year after the Australian Open, but at the end of the year I won three Challengers and Stockholm, which was very good for me.
“The win in Stockholm was two months ago so it is tough keeping the momentum going because of the holidays afterwards and a lot of physical conditioning. But I feel quite fit, I feel ready; I am playing good tennis, I am confident, so I think everything will be fine,” he added.
Baghdatis feels at home in Australia, having enjoyed some of his best performances Down Under including the 2006 Australian Open final. “I love coming here. That is why I come and spend a month in Australia. I feel great here and I am happy I am back. I believe I can do better than the final in 2006 because I did not win it. I think I can reach an even better level than I did before.”
Baghdatis and Fish have met only once on Tour and that was at last year’s Melbourne Park event when the 24-year old Cypriot triumphed in straight sets 6-2, 6-4, 6-4.
Should Baghdatis overcome Fish, he would then face the winner of the match between fourth seeded Czech Tomas Berdych and a qualifier.
