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Post by choupi on Jan 16, 2009 2:36:47 GMT -5
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Post by getta on Jan 17, 2009 13:24:46 GMT -5
MONDAY OOPShow Court 211:00 Start Women's Singles - 1st Round Mariya Koryttseva(UKR) vs. Alize Cornet(FRA) Men's Singles - 1st Round
Julien Benneteau(FRA) vs. Marcos Baghdatis(CYP)Men's Singles - 1st Round Evgeny Korolev(RUS) vs. Carlos Moya(ESP) Good luck, Marcos 
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Post by getta on Jan 19, 2009 0:14:00 GMT -5
Marcos defeated Julien Benneteau 6-3 7-6(5) 6-2.  He will face Robin Soderling in the second round. |
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Post by getta on Jan 19, 2009 1:23:05 GMT -5
Monday 19 January 2009
Marcos's transcribed interview after his match against Julien Benneteau
Q. What are your thoughts on the match?
MARCOS BAGHDATIS: Tough conditions. Didn't play my best tennis, but I'm happy I went through. That's a nice first round to have in those tough conditions, 2 hours 40 under the sun.
It's a good way to start the tournament.
Q. You've played here a little bit. Is that some of the toughest you've experienced here?
MARCOS BAGHDATIS: Yes, one of the maybe third toughest, yeah.
Q. Anything in particular that you found hard or different?
MARCOS BAGHDATIS: The sun was very hard. You're talking about Benneteau or the conditions?
Q. The conditions.
MARCOS BAGHDATIS: Because I played Benneteau three times.
So, no, the conditions, the sun, the sun, it's just very strong. Just even being out there, you cannot breathe. I just want to, you know, puke. But I'm happy I went through, so...
Q. You escaped a pretty tight one, then?
MARCOS BAGHDATIS: Exactly.
Q. How was your serving today?
MARCOS BAGHDATIS: Not so good, but I don't really care. I'm happy I went through. I have one day to work on it tomorrow. I'll try to work on it and get better.
I cannot be perfect every day. I think I need some matches. I'm confident. I think I'll take day by day and work hard. I think my serve will come one day.
Q. You say this is the third toughest conditions you've played in. What was the first toughest?
MARCOS BAGHDATIS: Stepanek 2006.
Q. You always have the crowd, the loyal supporters. How much do they bring to it?
MARCOS BAGHDATIS: A lot. I mean, they help you get through tough moments. One more time that's what they did today. They were there. They helped me get through this tough moment.
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Post by getta on Jan 19, 2009 1:47:41 GMT -5
I watched the match on bet365, keeping notes (having a photographic memory as well  ). Right now, I don't have time to write down my comments. Hopefully I'll do it later today. |
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Post by getta on Jan 19, 2009 4:47:44 GMT -5
Match report from the Australian Open official site:
Former finalist Baghdatis advances
Monday 19 January 2009
By Katy Ghassemi
Cypriot Marcos Baghdatis began his Australian Open 2009 campaign on a positive note on Monday, ousting Frenchman Julien Benneteau 6-3 7-6(5) 6-2 in two hours and 42 minutes.
Benneteau, at 27 and playing in his seventh Australian Open, did well to match it with the former top-10 player, keeping the first set close at 3-3 before an unforced error allowed Baghdatis to take the lead.
After holding his own serve, Baghdatis then had three break points against the Frenchman on his next service game, converting one to take a one-set lead.
The second set was a tighter battle, going down to a tie-breaker which Baghdatis won 7-5 with a resounding ace.
Baghdatis’s band of cheering supporters helped the Cypriot gain a 5-2 lead in the third set. Playing a deft drop shot to put him ahead in the final game, Baghdatis went on to win the set and match with a backhand winner down the line.
Happy to have made it through, the Australian Open 2006 finalist bent down to kiss the court after his final shot, then moved on to acknowledge the crowd.
“They [the crowd] help you get through tough moments. One more time, that’s what they did today,” he said.
Despite winning the match in straight sets, Baghdatis acknowledged it wasn’t his best performance.
“(I) didn’t play my best tennis, but I’m happy I went through,” he said.
Baghdatis’s win sees him move on to the second round, where he’ll play Robin Soderling. The Swede, who is seeded 16th at Melbourne Park, won his first round match against America’s Robert Kendrick in four sets.
Quick facts
Baghdatis served seven aces to Benneteau’s four
Baghdatis won a total of 116 points to the Frenchman’s 101
Baghdatis had 41 unforced errors, but clubbed 48 winners
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Post by getta on Jan 20, 2009 4:48:21 GMT -5
WEDNESDAY OOPShow Court 211:00 Start Men's Singles - 2nd Round Marin Cilic(CRO) vs. Janko Tipsarevic(SRB) Women's Singles - 2nd Round Andrea Petkovic(GER) vs. Alize Cornet(FRA) Women's Doubles - 1st Round Svetlana Kuznetsova(RUS)/Nadia Petrova(RUS) vs. Serena Williams(USA)/Venus Williams(USA) Men's Singles - 2nd Round
Robin Soderling(SWE) vs. Marcos Baghdatis(CYP)Good luck, Marcos
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Post by choupi on Jan 20, 2009 5:28:41 GMT -5
Allez Marcos!!
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Post by getta on Jan 22, 2009 0:49:24 GMT -5
From the Australian Open official site:
Baghdatis bounces back to unseat Swede
Wednesday 21 January 2009
By Bronwen Largier
Marcos Baghdatis has taken out 16th seed Robin Soderling in a gripping four-set second-round match of Australian Open 2009.
With the overwhelming support of the bulk of the crowd, Baghdatis took almost three hours to overcome the Swede 3-6 7-5 6-3 6-3.
With the conspicuous absence of the usual Swedish fans in the stands, Soderling earned two breaks of serve early to lead the match 4-0. Baghdatis broke back in the fifth game, but it wasn’t enough to save the set.
It was the fifth game of the second set, with Baghdatis trailing 4-0 again, that the match turned around. Baghdatis held serve without dropping a point, and went on to break Soderling three times in his next four service games to close out the set 7-5.
With an improvement in his serve and a drop in his number of unforced errors coinciding with a rise in the errors of his opponent, Baghdatis broke Soderling again in the opening game of the third. Soderling managed to get in a break in the next game, but the Cypriot got another break in the fourth to lead the set 3-1.
Although Soderling’s powerful forehand won him a few crucial points and he was able to push Baghdatis around the court, the Swede could not get back on top of the match.
Baghdatis chased down balls relentlessly and served a number of aces in the final few sets – he served three in the fifth game of the third set alone.
Breaking the Swede twice in the final set, Baghdatis got a standing ovation from the crowd when a backhand passing shot won him the match.
After the match he said the support of fans in Melbourne “makes me feel good on court, so it makes me want to fight and have a reason to fight”.
“It feels like I have a Grand Slam at home,” he said.
Baghdatis, who is currently ranked 97 in the world after an injury-riddled last season saw him play just 12 tournaments, said he was gradually learning to trust his body again.
“I’m feeling very good, but like I said before, in the beginning of the tournament you know, every time I wake up I have a bit of pain somewhere, I’m scared … so I need some confidence in my body. Slowly, slowly, it’s coming.”
Baghdatis will play American Mardy Fish in the third round on Friday.
Quick facts
Baghdatis served 13 aces to Soderling’s seven
Soderling had a whopping 69 unforced errors, while Baghdatis had 47
Baghdatis won five of six points where he came to the net (83 per cent), while Soderling was successful on 63 per cent of his net approaches (19-for-30)
Both players had a fastest first serve of 208km/h
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Post by getta on Jan 22, 2009 2:00:07 GMT -5
Marcos defeated Robin Soderling 3-6 7-5 6-3 6-3. I missed the match unfortunately, but according to the above report it must have been a heartbreaking fight from Marcos. He will face Mardy Fish in the third round. |
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Post by getta on Jan 22, 2009 2:27:53 GMT -5
FRIDAY OOPHisense Arena11:00 Start Men's Singles - 3rd Round Juan Martin Del Potro(ARG) vs. Gilles Muller(LUX) Women's Singles - 3rd Round Daniela Hantuchova(SVK) vs. Alize Cornet(FRA) Men's Singles - 3rd Round Andy Rod_ick(USA) vs. Fabrice Santoro(FRA) 19:30 Start Women's Singles - 3rd Round Alisa Kleybanova(RUS) vs. Ana Ivanovic(SRB) Men's Singles - 3rd Round
Marcos Baghdatis(CYP) vs. Mardy Fish(USA)Good luck, Marcos
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Post by getta on Jan 23, 2009 9:26:13 GMT -5
Marcos defeated Mardy Fish 6-2 6-4 6-4. He played a good solid game. He will face Novak Djokovic in the fourth round. |
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Post by getta on Jan 23, 2009 10:29:44 GMT -5
www.australianopen.com/en_AU/news/match_reports/2009-01-24/200901231232705126562.htmlFish fried as Baghdatis advancesSaturday 24 January 2009 By Tom Kelly  Marcos Baghdatis is through to a fourth-round meeting with Novak Djokovic after accounting for American Mardy Fish in straight sets in the early hours of Saturday. The 6-2 6-4 6-4 scoreline didn’t reflect a tight match, however; No. 23 seed Fish took it up to Baghdatis and could perhaps rue only a disappointing error count. The first point of the match mirrored what was to transpire. Fish looked to have Baghdatis covered at the net when, with a flick of the wrist at full tilt, the Cypriot sent a brilliant passing shot flying past. From thereon in, Baghdatis entertained the rowdy Hisense Arena crowd with play reminiscent of his dream run to the 2006 final. The first game proved to be a marathon, with Baghdatis converting his third break point after 14 minutes. Fish pressed the Baghdatis serve at 4-2 down, but his failure to impact on the scoreboard proved costly. Baghdatis closed out the set at his first opportunity as the American pushed a forehand wide. Sensing the Cypriot’s confidence rising, the crowd roared their approval during the change of ends. Fish’s serve was again put under pressure from the outset of the second. Baghdatis converted on his fourth break point opportunity, edging out to a 4-1 advantage. He held serve, closing out the set 6-4 in 47 minutes to take a decisive lead in the match. Despite a straightforward scoreline, the third set still posed challenges for the former Australian Open finalist. His first chance to break didn’t come until the seventh game when Fish netted a backhand. Baghdatis raced through the rest of the set, one final Fish error sealing the match at 1.15am local time. Quick factsFish served 10 aces to Baghdatis’ five, and both players landed their first serve at 54 per cent Fish made 45 unforced errors, while Baghdatis racked up 29 The American approached the net 38 times, winning 18 of those points; Baghdatis was 7-for-9 on net approaches (78 per cent) Fish had the fastest first serve of the match at 219km/h
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Post by getta on Jan 24, 2009 0:51:51 GMT -5
SUNDAY OOPRod Laver Arena11:00 Start Women's Singles - 4th Round Jelena Jankovic(SRB) vs. Marion Bartoli(FRA) Women's Singles - 4th Round Dinara Safina(RUS) vs. Alize Cornet(FRA) Men's Singles - 4th Round Tomas Berdych(CZE) vs. Roger Federer(SUI) 19:30 Start Women's Singles - 4th Round Jelena Dokic(AUS) vs. Alisa Kleybanova(RUS) Men's Singles - 4th Round
Marcos Baghdatis(CYP) vs. Novak Djokovic(SRB)Good luck, Marcos
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Post by choupi on Jan 25, 2009 11:18:25 GMT -5
Marcos lost to Djokovic 1-6 6-7 7-6 2-6. Sunday 25 January 2009
By Matthew Trollope
Novak Djokovic has won a highly-entertaining clash against Marcos Baghdatis in the wee hours of Monday morning, beating the Cypriot in four high-quality sets to progress to the quarterfinals of Australian Open 2009.
Before an atmospheric crowd on Rod Laver Arena – featuring animated chanting from each players’ flag-clad supporter groups – the tournament’s third seed battled his unseeded opponent for three hours and 15 minutes before winning 6-1 7-6(1) 6-7(5) 6-2.
The match began at 11.10pm following Jelena Dokic’s epic three-hour win over Alisa Kleybanova, but the crowd didn’t seem to mind, the majority staying on for what promised to be a blockbuster between two of the game’s best shot-makers.
It seemed Djokovic wanted to make up for lost time, moving 4-0 ahead in just 13 minutes. The Serbian’s clean and powerful ball-striking caught the Cypriot off-guard and kept him firmly on the back foot.
Despite Baghdatis getting on the board to be down 1-5, Djokovic promptly served out the set.
The standard of play lifted in the second set as Baghdatis found his range. The two men engaged in several scintillating rallies, rifling the ball low and fast over the net before a winner generally decided the point.
Baghdatis broke early to lead 3-0, before Djokovic hit back in the seventh game to get the set back on serve. He had the chance to break again in the ninth game when up 0-30, but the winners then flew off the Cypriot’s racquet, allowing him to hold. Games then continued on serve.
After such an absorbing set, it seemed a shame the ensuing tiebreak was such a one-sided affair. However, the Serbian proved the more solid and hungry player, winning it seven points to one and taking a two-sets-to-love lead.
The third set went with serve and again had to be decided by a tiebreak. This time, Baghdatis would not crumble.
He punished a couple of poorly-executed drop shots by the Serbian, and went from 0-2 down to 3-2 up. The momentum swing was telling, and the Cypriot would eventually smack a forehand return winner to bring up three set points. Despite botching two, he clinched the set on his third after coming out on top of a gruelling rally.
Djokovic quickly shrugged off the disappointment of the third set, breaking in the opening game of the fourth.
The Serbian was in danger of losing his advantage when serving in the sixth game as Baghdatis went up 15-40, but played clutch tennis to extend his lead to 4-2.
An epic game immediately followed. Baghdatis saved two break points and successfully challenged an out call on the baseline to reach advantage, only for the Serbian to reel off three consecutive points with some brilliant tennis and score his second break of the set.
It proved decisive, and Djokovic went on to close out the match in the next game – just before 2.30am.
Waiting in the quarterfinals is American Andy Rodd-ick, after the No. 7 seed won his fourth-round encounter in straight sets over Spain’s Tommy Robredo.
Quick facts
Baghdatis served 12 aces to Djokovic’s three
The Cypriot recorded just one more winner than Djokovic (37-36)
Djokovic had 49 unforced errors, four less than Baghdatis
The Serbian had 17 break points, compared to just five for Baghdatiswww.australianopen.com/en_AU/news/match_reports/2009-01-25/200901251232805006937.html |
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