The Hindu : Sport / Tennis : I am concentrating on my fitness: Marcos Baghdatis

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Dec 28, 2007
ePaper

Sport

Sport - Tennis

I am concentrating on my fitness: Marcos Baghdatis

Sports Reporter

— Photo: R. Ragu

RARING TO GO: Marcos Baghdatis feels the Chennai Open would serve as a good warm-up for the Australian Open.

Chennai: High-profile names trickled in on Thursday, as the Nungambakkam Stadium braced itself for the annual week-long ritual.

Marcos Baghdatis — with a brand built on style, ebullience and a loyal entourage — was the first of the big names to arrive.

Xavier Malisse followed suit, hoping to feed off last year’s dream run that saw him clinch both the singles and the doubles titles.

Second seed Baghdatis practised briefly at the Centre Court on Thursday evening.

Since making it to the Australian open final in 2006, the Cypriot had a checkered two years.

With a personality that complimented his fluid style, it helped compensate appropriately when the results failed to show up.

If the forehand didn’t work, the charm always did (those in the dark should check out ATP’s Christmas video).

Visual treat

But his high-risk tennis, when it came off, was a visual treat.

The Cypriot’s visit here in 2005 almost went unnoticed when he crashed out in the first round to Nicolas Devilder.

“I’m hoping to be second time lucky here, and do much better than last time,” he said. As far as his tennis went, he said that fitness was on top of his priority list.

“I am concentrating on my fitness. I want to play more matches which will help me get fitter,” he said, adding that the tournament would help serve as a good warm-up for the Australian Open.

Indian Wildcard Prakash Amritraj’s healed left wrist will be put through a rigorous test for the first time since the surgery in August this year.

“He needs to play continuously for 10 to 11 months. His game is shaping up well, and it’s just a question of playing,” said Vijay Amritraj. Prakash was optimistic about his fitness. “It (ligament tear in the left wrist) is healing well and I’ve been doing a lot of training, which will help,” he said.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Sport