|
Baghdatis, unseeded, advances to Australian Open final
(Bloomberg)
Updated: 2006-01-27 09:14
Unseeded Marcos Baghdatis rallied from two sets down to beat David Nalbandian
and advance to the Australian Open tennis final, where he will meet either Swiss
Roger Federer or German Nicolas Kiefer.
Cyprus' Marcos
Baghdatis reacts during the Australian Open semi-final against Argentina's
David Nalbandian in Melbourne. Baghdatis reached his first Grand Slam
final with an stirring 3-6, 5-7, 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 victory over Nalbandian.
[AFP] |
|
In women's, France's Amelie Mauresmo will play former champion Justine
Henin-Hardenne for the women's title.
|
Amelie
Mauresmo |
Justine Henin-Hardenne
| |
|
The 54th-ranked Baghdatis, a 250-1 long shot at the start of the tournament,
defeated the fourth-seeded Nalbandian 3-6, 5- 7, 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 late yesterday.
The Jan. 29 championship match will be against top-ranked Roger Federer of
Switzerland or German No. 21 Nicolas Kiefer, who play today.
"When the tournament is finished, I'll be satisfied because I've given
everything these two weeks, '' Baghdatis, the first man or woman from Cyprus to
be ranked in the top 100, told reporters. ``I have to give everything in the
final."
The 20-year-old Baghdatis, in his sixth Grand Slam event, is trying to become
the first unseeded player to win at Melbourne Park since Mark Edmondson in 1976.
He upset No. 2 seed Andy Roddick and No. 7 Ivan Ljubicic to reach the
semifinals.
Baghdatis twice recovered after losing his serve in the final set before
breaking Argentina's Nalbandian for a third time to lead 5-4. Play was suspended
with the score tied at 15- 15 in the next game as rain poured down on Rod Laver
Arena.
Following a 26-minute delay to close the roof and mop the court, Baghdatis
was initially denied victory when the chair umpire overruled a line call.
Television replays showed the original call was good. Baghdatis sealed the win
later in the game with an ace.
|
