Jason HeimTennis: Marcos Baghdatis Through To Third Round
January 21st 2009 22:36
Category: Tennis
Crowd favourite Marcos Baghdatis' Australian Open campaign is gathering steam after he upset No 16 seed Robin Soderling in the second round on Wednesday night. The popular Cypriot, who made an entertaining run to the Open final in 2006, downed Sweden's Robin Soderling 3-6 7-5 6-3 6-3.
It followed his straight sets first round win over Frenchman Julien Benneteau, continuing his strong record at Melbourne Park.
Baghdatis had entered the event in scratchy form and with his ranking having slumped to No.97, after an injury-riddled 2008.
He lost in the first round in Brisbane earlier this month and was also below his best in last week's Kooyong Classic, before hitting his straps in the grand slam event.
The 23-year-old next plays American 23rd seed Mardy Fish - who downed Italian Simone Bolelli in straight sets on Wednesday - in what will be their first career meeting.
Meanwhile Andy Roddick ground out a four-set win over world No.195 Belgian Xavier Malisse to reach the third round.
Roddick lost the opening set and battled through a third-set tie-breaker to take it 4-6, 6-2, 7-6 (7-1), 6-2 in two hours and 43 minutes.
AAP
It followed his straight sets first round win over Frenchman Julien Benneteau, continuing his strong record at Melbourne Park.
Baghdatis had entered the event in scratchy form and with his ranking having slumped to No.97, after an injury-riddled 2008.
He lost in the first round in Brisbane earlier this month and was also below his best in last week's Kooyong Classic, before hitting his straps in the grand slam event.
The 23-year-old next plays American 23rd seed Mardy Fish - who downed Italian Simone Bolelli in straight sets on Wednesday - in what will be their first career meeting.
Meanwhile Andy Roddick ground out a four-set win over world No.195 Belgian Xavier Malisse to reach the third round.
Roddick lost the opening set and battled through a third-set tie-breaker to take it 4-6, 6-2, 7-6 (7-1), 6-2 in two hours and 43 minutes.
AAP
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