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| January 29, 2006 | Sunday | Zilhaj 28, 1426 |
Biggest challenge for Baghdatis
MELBOURNE, Jan 28: Marcos Baghdatis says world number one Roger Federer has nothing to fear against him in Sunday’s Australian Open final. But the unconventional young Cypriot, who has beaten three top-10 players to reach the final, is not resigned to defeat. Rather, he is so pumped up he believes he can beat the six-time Grand Slam champion.
“He should be worried about me? I mean, I don’t think he’s worried,” he said. “It’s his seventh Grand Slam final, he won six of them. I don’t think he’s worried.”
But it’s not all done and dusted, as the 20-year-old former world junior champion added: “I think it will be a great match. I’ll fight for it. I think he will fight for it. May the best man win.”
The reality is that the 54th-ranked Baghdatis has a mountain to climb to knock over Federer.
No unseeded player has won a slam final against the top seed in five attempts in the Open era and Federer has yet to lose in six Grand Slam finals going back to 2003 Wimbledon.
The Swiss champion also has the advantage of winning all three matches against the Cypriot, including a straight sets victory in the fourth round here last year.
The unassuming Swiss maestro will join tennis greats John McEnroe, John Newcombe and Mats Wilander if he wins his seventh major title at Baghdatis’ expense.
Federer though has respect for the Cypriot, who has given the men’s tournament the fillip it needed after the pre-tournament withdrawal of defending champion Marat Safin, eight-times slam champion Andre Agassi and world number two Rafael Nadal.
Baghdatis has brought an excitement and verve to each of his six matches played in a tumultuous atmosphere generated by football-style chanting Greek expats.
His come-from-behind semi-final victory over fourth seed David Nalbandian improved his career record against top-10 players to 5-3, with all three losses to Federer.
It’s been a heady time for the effervescent youngster, whose ranking will climb from 54 to 26 by reaching the final and zoom to 16 should he upset the odds and beat Federer.
He has greatly impressed the tennis world here with his winning form and composure under intense pressure against the world’s best players.
Asked what his best tennis attributes are, he said: “I’m really quick on my feet. I move very well on the court. I have a great eye. I see the ball very fast. I can adapt to any style of players. I have maybe all the shots.”
Federer has seen a dramatic improvement in Baghdatis, even since beating him in the quarter-finals at Doha earlier this month.
“Well, in two weeks he’s improved incredibly. I think we’re all surprised he got so far because there’s other very talented youngsters who I thought would have made the break before him. But he proved us all wrong,” he said.
“But, again, he beat quality players and he totally deserves to be in the final.”
Federer hasn’t been in his best form in Melbourne this year, struggling to put away Tommy Haas and Nikolay Davydenko before stepping it up in the final two sets in his four-set semi-final win over German Nicolas Kiefer.
“Maybe it was good to be pushed so much by Tommy and Nikolay,” he said.
“I didn’t think I have played too bad up until now and I’m really happy to be back in the finals.
“So now that I’m in the finals, feeling good also physically after a couple of tough matches, it’s a good feeling. Now I’m excited.”
Baghdatis is takin it all in his stride.
“I’m in the final. Every match is different. Every day is different. I believe in it. My coach does. Everybody in my corner does. So I give myself a good chance,” he said.
Order of play:
Rod Laver Arena
Mixed doubles final
Daniel Nestor (CAN)/Elena Likhovtseva (RUS x6) v Mahesh Bhupathi (IND)/Martina Hingis (SUI)
Not before 7.30 (0830 GMT)
Men’s singles final
Roger Federer (SUI x1) v Marcos Baghdatis (CYP).—AFP
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