ID :
97773
Sat, 01/02/2010 - 03:08
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/97773
The shortlink copeid
Brisbane titles up for grabs: Baghdatis
Reborn crowd-puller Marcos Baghdatis, convinced he can shake the Australian Open
again, has rated the Brisbane International open for the taking.
The popular Cypriot is among a host of dangerous floaters in both the men's and
women's events, which start on Sunday at the Queensland Tennis Centre.
While almost the entire women's field is dreading the prospect of a first-round
meeting with Belgian comeback queen Justine Henin, there are several other unseeded
name players awaiting Saturday's draw.
Jelena Dokic, currently ranked No.56, is another sitting ominously in the women's,
while Baghdatis (42), James Blake (44) and last year's semi-finalist Richard Gasquet
(52) are genuine threats to the men's seeds.
Top-seeded American Andy Roddick identified Gasquet, last month cleared of a doping
offence, as a worrying "floater", while Baghdatis also felt Roddick would have
plenty of mysterious challengers.
"It's a tough tournament, because it's the first tournament of the year and a lot of
players don't have matches on their legs and it's not an easy tournament. But I
think everyone will have a go and it's a nice fight," the 2006 Australian Open
finalist said.
"He's Andy Roddick and he's always tough to beat, but you never know what's going to
happen."
US Open champion Kim Clijsters is the women's top seed after Dinara Safina withdrew
with a back injury but Henin, who beat second seed Nadia Petrova in an exhibition
match last month, looks as sharp as ever to be a joint favourite.
Baghdatis missed the US Open less than five months ago when his ranking spiralled
into the 100s, but two challenger tournament titles and victory at the Stockholm
Grand Prix has him confident of a strong start to 2010.
"It was two months ago, so it's tough for the momentum, because of holidays and
practising physically a lot, but I feel quite fit and I'm ready and playing good
tennis and I'm confident," he said.
Baghdatis remains an endearing crowd favourite at Melbourne Park after shooting into
the 2006 final, where he took the first set off Roger Federer before wilting after
an amazing giant-killing run.
"I love coming here that's why I come and spend a month in Australia," he said.
"I think I can do even better (at the Australian Open) because I didn't win it, I
think I can reach an even better level than before."
again, has rated the Brisbane International open for the taking.
The popular Cypriot is among a host of dangerous floaters in both the men's and
women's events, which start on Sunday at the Queensland Tennis Centre.
While almost the entire women's field is dreading the prospect of a first-round
meeting with Belgian comeback queen Justine Henin, there are several other unseeded
name players awaiting Saturday's draw.
Jelena Dokic, currently ranked No.56, is another sitting ominously in the women's,
while Baghdatis (42), James Blake (44) and last year's semi-finalist Richard Gasquet
(52) are genuine threats to the men's seeds.
Top-seeded American Andy Roddick identified Gasquet, last month cleared of a doping
offence, as a worrying "floater", while Baghdatis also felt Roddick would have
plenty of mysterious challengers.
"It's a tough tournament, because it's the first tournament of the year and a lot of
players don't have matches on their legs and it's not an easy tournament. But I
think everyone will have a go and it's a nice fight," the 2006 Australian Open
finalist said.
"He's Andy Roddick and he's always tough to beat, but you never know what's going to
happen."
US Open champion Kim Clijsters is the women's top seed after Dinara Safina withdrew
with a back injury but Henin, who beat second seed Nadia Petrova in an exhibition
match last month, looks as sharp as ever to be a joint favourite.
Baghdatis missed the US Open less than five months ago when his ranking spiralled
into the 100s, but two challenger tournament titles and victory at the Stockholm
Grand Prix has him confident of a strong start to 2010.
"It was two months ago, so it's tough for the momentum, because of holidays and
practising physically a lot, but I feel quite fit and I'm ready and playing good
tennis and I'm confident," he said.
Baghdatis remains an endearing crowd favourite at Melbourne Park after shooting into
the 2006 final, where he took the first set off Roger Federer before wilting after
an amazing giant-killing run.
"I love coming here that's why I come and spend a month in Australia," he said.
"I think I can do even better (at the Australian Open) because I didn't win it, I
think I can reach an even better level than before."
