Medibank International Sydney Tennis - Australian Open Series

Olympic Park Tennis Centre 11-17 Jan 2009

Baghdatis bags title

Baghdatis bags title

Saturday 16 January 2010 Comments

Cypriot fan favourite Marcos Baghdatis has won his fourth career and first Australian title at the Medibank International Sydney, defeating Frenchman Richard Gasquet.

World No. 42 Baghdatis won the rain-interrupted final 6-4 7-6(2) in front of vocal and enthusiastic crowd at Ken Rosewall Arena at the Sydney Olympic Park Tennis Centre.

Baghdatis, who was buoyed by the Greek Cypriot crowd support in the final, dropped to the ground in celebration of his win and said he loved visiting Australia.

“I have great support here. People are very friendly and nice,” Baghdatis said.“I’m very happy that I won today.”

Baghdatis dedicated the win to his brother who is celebrating his birthday and also donated $5000 of his prizemoney to the World Vision Earthquake appeal.

Gasquet said that his opponent played well and deserved the win.

“I preferred to win this tournament,” Gasquet said. “But I lost to Marcos, a great player. He played well and played a good game.”

Baghdatis got off to a flying start breaking Gasquet in the opening game, much to the delight of the spirited Ken Rosewall Arena crowd.

He held onto the break to take the first set 6-4, before the heavens opened and forced a 75 minute rain interruption.

Gasquet was the one that came out firing in the second set racing out to a 5-2 lead before the Cypriot fought his way back to level at 6 games all.

Nerves got the better of the Frenchman as Gasquet served consecutive double faults to give Baghdatis three match points.

Baghdatis only needed one as he took the tiebreak 7 points to 2 and the Medibank International Sydney title.

Earlier in the day top seeds Daniel Nestor (Can) and Nenad Zimonjic (SRB) defeated unseeded pair Ross Hutchins (GBR) and Jordan Kerr (AUS) 6-3 7-6(2) to win their first Medibank International Sydney title as a team.

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  • andreaspipis
    MARKO EISAI TSIAKKOS
  • camjammel
    hopefully now gasquet has the confidence to go on and win the aus open so my $5 bet will turn into $750
  • HGTM Gold Coast
    Bad luck Richard on the final, I know you are disappointed but you had a wonderful tournament and played very well all week. You are such a gentleman on the court and a pleasure to watch every time. Good luck to you in the Oz Open and for 2010. Look forward to seeing you in Brisbane again in 2011.
  • Louise
    well done Marcos - congratulations! "Bonne Chance" for the upcoming Australian Open!!
  • mezza123
    where can i get a replay to his match!?!?
  • Marketa
    i love his fans :) they are crazy !!! greeks and cypriots...

    no one wanted to sponsor Marcos this year (thats unbelievable! worst players have sponsors) and he said: "its ok i will play with the colors of my country... my sponsors are Cyprus and Greece... and with the time passing they will remember me..."
  • Fantastic effort Marcos.

    Now for the Australian Open!
  • Villys
    Well Done Marcos, good luck in the Australian Open, too.
    Greetings from Greece...
  • Laura
    I was there tonight, just a few rows from the VERY enthusiastic Greek Cypriot fans. (The ones that ran down to the court-side area as soon as Baghdatis won) They were so passionate, it felt like I was at a soccer match!
    I've always loved Baghdatis, so of course I was cheering him on and excited to see him win (tonight was my first time actually going to a tennis match... I only ever watch on TV... and I got to see one of my favourite players!) I think it's fantastic that he's donating $5000 to the Haiti Earthquake Appeal.
    He seems like such an amazing person, and we all know he's an amazing player!
  • M.
    well done marcos! it's always a joy to see you around!
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