Baghdatis Primed To Strike In Brisbane

Cypriot Marcos Baghdatis believes it will be a very open field at the Brisbane International, the first ATP World Tour tournament of the 2010 season, which begins Sunday 3rd January.

The 24 year old said: “It’s a tough tournament because it’s the first tournament of the year. A lot of players don’t have a lot of matches on their legs and it’s not an easy tournament. But I think everybody has a go in this one and it will be a nice fight.”

The 32-man field is led by World No. 7 Andy Roddick, whom Baghdatis perceives to be the biggest threat. “He’s the top seed, he’s Andy Roddick and he’s always tough to beat. But, like I said, it’s the beginning of the year; you never know what will happen.”

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World No. 42 Baghdatis will look to make a strong start to the 2010 ATP World Tour season and capitalise on the progress he made at the end of 2009. The right-hander struggled to return to full form and fitness until the closing stages of last season, following an injury-ridden 2008, but finished by capturing his third ATP World Tour title at the If Stockholm Open (d. O. Rochus).

“[Things really looked up for me] at the end of last year,” commented Baghdatis. “I wasn’t playing very good when I left last year after the Australian Open (where he reached the fourth round), 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’s tough keeping momentum because of holidays afterwards and practising physically a lot. But I feel quite fit, I feel ready; I’m playing good tennis, I’m confident, so I think everything will be fine.

Baghdatis has good memories of playing Down Under, having reached his first major final at the Australian Open in 2006 (l. to Federer). However, the Limassol native believes the best is yet to come. “I love coming here. That’s why I come and spend a month in Australia. I feel great here and I’m happy I’m back. I believe I can do better [than the Australian Open final in 2006] because I didn’t win it. I think I can reach an even better level than I did before.”