The Hindu : Sport / Tennis : Getting into good rhythm

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Sunday, Dec 30, 2007
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Getting into good rhythm

Sports Reporter

Chennai: Marcos Baghdatis dreamt big, and it took him to the Australian Open final in 2006. The Cypriot revealed his desire then to take Cyprus to a Davis Cup win. That might take some doing, but 2008 will offer him a shot at an Olympic medal for his country.

“I will try to win a medal, the gold one,” he said, on his 2008 Olympic dreams. “My main goal is to get into the top-10 and stay there. I would also like to take Cyprus to Group I in Davis Cup,” he said on Saturday.

Mixed year

The Cypriot had a mixed year, but salvaged it with some consistent performances in the indoor season. “2007 didn’t start too good. I was very disappointed after the Australian Open, and lost confidence. I didn’t play well in the Masters at the US, and was down at that time. Things got better after that. I changed my coach and started playing good, and found some confidence after Roland Garros and Wimbledon. I was down again after that and lost to Max Mirnyi in the US Open first round, but fought back to finish the year well (semifinals of the Paris Masters). Hopefully this year will be much better.”

Enjoying himself

Baghdatis said that he was enjoying himself on his second visit. “It’s a pleasure to be here, and I’m really happy. The people are so nice, and the facilities are great to have a great tournament.”

The 22-year-old said that the first two rounds would be the toughest. “It’s a great tournament, and that’s why I’m here. Nadal is Nadal, but there are other good players in the first two rounds. There will be some great battles here in the first and second round, and my objective is to pass the first two rounds.

“I’m getting into good rhythm, and I can see myself winning the tournament.”

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