Marcos Baghdatis Makes Washington Final

Marcos Baghdatis enjoyed a straight sets win over Xavier Malisse to reach the Legg Mason Classic final in Washington but did appear to suffer an ankle problem when he went over on it in the second set.

Malisse and Baghdatis had never faced one another on the ATP tour until last night but had played twice on the Challenger circuit, Baghdadis winning both matches.

And it was the Cypriot who made the best start to the first semi final of the day as he broke Malisse in the third came to take a 2-1 lead before holding his own serve to make it 3-1.

A second break in the fifth saw Baghdadis seal the set as Malisse was unable to get back on level terms.

Into the second and Malisse looked ready for the fight as his game, and serve picked up, the first seven games going with serve.

And it was the Belgian who had the first break point chance of the second set in the eighth game at 30/40.

 He hit a backhand down the line and this was were Baghdadis turned his ankle as he tried to make the return, Malisse’s ball did land out.

Baghdatis took a medical time out to get treatment on the ankle and returned to court at deuce, he went on to hold serve and level the match at 4-4.

The momentum seemed to be with Baghdatis when he broke Malisse in eleventh game to lead 6-5 and serve for the match.

But the errors crept into the service game of the Cypriot and Malisse broke back to take the set into a tie break.

But Baghdatis regained control of his game and opened up a 6-1 lead in that tie break, a lead that Malisse was never able to recover from.

He wrapped up the match 6-2 7-6 (7-4) to set up a final clash with wild card David Nalbandian.

Speaking to the ATP about the injury after the match the Cypriot said:  “It looked fine at the end and I was moving pretty good.

“Hopefully I won't have pain tonight and it will be fine tomorrow. Right now I am going to enjoy my victory. I’m very happy I won and it was a great fight.”

FemaleFirst Helen Earnshaw