Marcos Baghdatis Wins In Sydney

Marcos Baghdatis kicked his season off in winning style as he claimed the Sydney International final beating Richard Gasquet in the final.

The Cypriot got off to a fine start as he broke Gasquet’s serve in the opening game to immediately take the advantage.

Baghdatis took the opening set 6-4 before play was suspended due to the weather. When the players returned to the court Gasquet took a 5-2 lead and it looked like a final set was on the way.

But Baghdatis fought back to level the match and take the second set into a tie break. And it was Gasquet that forged a slender lead as he went 2-0 ahead.

But Baghdatis took the next seven points on the bounce to wrap up the second set and the match 6-4 7-6 (7-2).

It was a great return for Gasquet who has struggled with his form after returning to the ATP tour after his ban for alleged doping.

After an investigation he was cleared and returned to his first Grand Slam in the U.S. Open last year. While he has struggled he was in fine form during the whole tournament and appears to be back on track.

And Baghdatis has had his fair share of troubles over the last few months as he has been plagued with back and wrist injuries.

With the final the pair completed their Australian Open preparations as the tournament gets under way tomorrow. In his opening match Baghdadis will face Italian Paolo Lorenzi which Gasquet has a clash with Russian Mikhail Youzhny.

FemaleFirst Helen Earnshaw