"Landep News"
Baghdatis into Kuala Lumpur final
Marcos Baghdatis continues to impress at the Malaysian event where the Cypriot has reached the last term after stunning second seed Viktor Troicki in two sets, 6-3, 6-1. Baghdatis, who is one win from his first season title, will next meet third favorite Janko Tipsarevic.
Baghdatis clinched the win in one hour and 24 minutes to take the lead in the head to head series with the world number 15. The Cypriot, ranked 60th in ATP rankings, broke his opponent three times only in the opener when he also conceded a couple of services. Troicki built five break points and failed to convert three of them, losing the first term in over half an hour.
As for the second round, it saw the Cypriot break the Serb three more times and keep the sheet clean on his service. Troicki lost both break points, conceding the victory in two sets. Baghdatis finished the game with a 48 first serve percentage, three aces and a very consistent 65 return percentage. He also converted six out of seven break points and 57 percent of service points.
On the other side, Troicki came up with an identical first serve percentage, a 43 return percentage, an ace and two double faults. He also won 35 percent of service points and converted two out of seven break points. The head to head series between the two is now led 2-1 by the Cypriot. Troicki’s only win comes from the 2010 Kremlin Cup.
“There’s still one match to go. Today was a strange first set from both of us, struggling with our serves. But I stayed calm and focused on what I had to and played the important points better in the first set. I’m happy with the way I fought, and to win without spending too much time on court,” reflected Baghdatis, who is chasing his first title of the year, after the game.
Next up for the Cypriot is another Serb, Janko Tipsarevic, who has also booked a place into the last term after grabbing a two set win against eighth favorite Kei Nishikori. Tipsarevic beat the Japanese 6-4, 6-3 and is one victory from his first season title, as well. Tipsarevic only needed a break to clinch the opener within which he also saved a break point coming from Kei.
Concerning the second round, it was dominated by the same Serb who managed to break his opponent a couple of more times. Janko also saved five break points to close the meeting very early. Tipsarevic finished the game with a 67 first serve percentage, four aces, a couple of double faults and three break point conversions in four tries.
He also won 72 percent of service points and 37 of receiving ones, compared to Japanese’s 63 service percentage and 28 return one. Nishikori’s showing also included three aces, a double fault and six break points. This was Janko’s fifth win over the Japanese who has lost all the five meeting with the world number 17.
En route to the final, Baghdatis has also defeated seed Jurgen Melzer 6-3, 7-6 in the quarters, Somdev Devvarman 7-5, 6-4 in the second term and Alex Bogomolov Jr. 7-6, 6-4 in the opener. On the other side, Tipsarevic reached the semi final after Nikolay Davydenko retired early in the first set. He made his debut with a 6-2, 6-4 clear win over Flavio Cipolla.
Baghdatis leads the direct confrontations with the Serb 2-1, his last win dating from the 2007 Marseille event. As for Tisparevic, he won the last meeting last year in Los Angeles and will start tomorrow’s game as favorite.
Kuala Lumpur Prize Money and points:
Winner – $155,000 and 250 points ATP
Runner up – $81,500 and 150 points ATP
Semi finalist – $44,150 and 90 points ATP
Quarter finalist – $25,180 points ATP
R16 – $14,820 and 20 points ATP
R32 – $8,800 and zero points
Thank's for link:
0 Response to "Baghdatis into Kuala Lumpur final"
Post a Comment