Marcos Baghdatis Bouncing Back?!
Marcos Baghdatis, former Australian Open finalist, Wimbledon semifinalist and World Number Eight, won his first ATP title since February, 2007, when he beat Olivier Rochus 6-1, 7-5 to win the Stockholm Open title on Sunday. Baghdatis, now twenty-four years old, has
battled injuries during the past couple years, but his Stockholm title follows a victory the previous week on the Challenger circuit in Tashkent so he’s riding a ten match winning streak!
It’s been a long and winding road for Baghdatis over the past couple years, but he appears to be finding his form. The year started well “down under” where Baghdatis beat Swede Robin Soderling, Mardy Fish and Julien Benneteau en route to the round of 16 at the 2009 Australian Open where he lost to Novak Djokovic. However, it was a tough year after that from February until recently. Since August, Marcos has won three Challenger titles, but it was the ATP crown he collected in Stockholm on Sunday which has had the greatest impact on his ranking and hopefully his future results. In July, Baghdatis’ ranking dropped down to 151st, but with the title yesterday he is now back up to 41st.
One has to give Baghdatis credit for working hard to improve his game and fitness while raising his ranking. Marcos played in four Challenger level tournaments this year, winning three of them. Marcos said after winning his third career ATP title in Stockholm yesterday that he is not setting goals for the future and is hoping to simply stay healthy and play consistent tennis. Baghdatis, who seems to play his best tennis on hard courts, has won 23 Tour level matches in 2009 and lost 16. Given Baghdatis’ stylish tennis and charisma, one hopes that he can continue his improved play into 2010 and that his smile will again light up major tennis stadiums around the world.
It’s been a long and winding road for Baghdatis over the past couple years, but he appears to be finding his form. The year started well “down under” where Baghdatis beat Swede Robin Soderling, Mardy Fish and Julien Benneteau en route to the round of 16 at the 2009 Australian Open where he lost to Novak Djokovic. However, it was a tough year after that from February until recently. Since August, Marcos has won three Challenger titles, but it was the ATP crown he collected in Stockholm on Sunday which has had the greatest impact on his ranking and hopefully his future results. In July, Baghdatis’ ranking dropped down to 151st, but with the title yesterday he is now back up to 41st.
One has to give Baghdatis credit for working hard to improve his game and fitness while raising his ranking. Marcos played in four Challenger level tournaments this year, winning three of them. Marcos said after winning his third career ATP title in Stockholm yesterday that he is not setting goals for the future and is hoping to simply stay healthy and play consistent tennis. Baghdatis, who seems to play his best tennis on hard courts, has won 23 Tour level matches in 2009 and lost 16. Given Baghdatis’ stylish tennis and charisma, one hopes that he can continue his improved play into 2010 and that his smile will again light up major tennis stadiums around the world.
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