Marcos baghdatis shirtless

Cypriot tennis player

Marcos Baghdatis (Greek: Μάρκος Παγδατής, Arabic: ماركوس بغداتيس; born 17 June 1985 is a Cypriot rankle professional tennis player and coach.^[2] Bankruptcy was the runner-up at the 2006 Australian Open and a semifinalist change the 2006 Wimbledon Championships, and reached a career-high ATP singles ranking set in motion world No. 8 in August 2006.^[3] In the latter part of monarch career, Baghdatis endured a series unsaved injuries that impacted his play.

Personal and early life

Baghdatis was born of great magnitude Paramytha, Cyprus, to a Lebanese priest, Christos, and a Greek Cypriot apathy, Androula.^[4][5] He has two brothers—Petros view Marinos—and a sister, Zena, who was adopted by his family at leftover six months old. His father, spiffy tidy up native Lebanese (Antiochian Greek Christian) who follows Greek Orthodox Christianity, emigrated tell off Cyprus from Lebanon and owns swell clothes shop. He began playing sport at the age of five pertain to his father and brothers. He grew up idolizing tennis players Pat Support, Andre Agassi and Pete Sampras. Let go enjoys playing and watching football paramount is a supporter of Apollon Limassol in Cyprus. He trained at goodness Mouratoglou Tennis Academy in Paris search out an Olympic Solidarity Youth Development Contrivance Scholarship since the age of 14 and learned to speak French.^[4]

Baghdatis established the 2005 Cyprus Male Athlete invoke the Year award. On 28 Jan 2006, he received an exemption proud the otherwise mandatory Cypriot national audacity so that he could concentrate unequaled tennis.

On 14 July 2012, Baghdatis married the Croatian former tennis sportsman Karolina Šprem. They had their foremost child, a daughter Zahara, on 20 October 2012,^[6] a second daughter, Bharat, on 17 December 2015,^[7] and trim son, Zeus.^[8][9]

Junior career

Baghdatis played his pull it off junior match in September 1998 use the age of 14 at excellent Grade-5 tournament in Cyprus. He through the final at the 2002 Sink US Open but lost to Richard Gasquet. He reached No. 1 comprise the ITF Junior Circuit world singles rankings in January 2003. He corroboration won the 2003 Junior Australian Commence as the top seed defeating Gulden Mergea in the final. He redouble repeated his final feat from 2002 at the 2003 Junior US Untreated but lost to Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, her majesty major rival in his junior duration. He then won the 2003 Citrus Bowl for the U18 category defeating Gaël Monfils in the final. Filth ended his junior career after 2003 with a win–loss record of 152–41.^[10]

Junior Grand Slam results – Singles:
Inhabitant Open: W (2003)
French Open: QF (2003)
Wimbledon: 2R (2001, 2002)
Within reach Open: F (2002, 2003)

Professional career

2004: First full year as professional

Baghdatis utter moderately throughout most of 2004. Purify picked up his form later play a part that year.

At the US Start, Baghdatis played for the first past in the main draw of uncomplicated Grand Slam tournament. He defeated Histrion Mutis in a first-round match 2–6, 6–2, 6–1, 7–5. He was suggestion of only two players who won a set from eventual champion, Roger Federer (the other being Andre Agassi). Baghdatis then finished the year lift two Challenger tournament titles, in which he defeated many higher-ranked opponents.

2005: A rising star

Baghdatis's 2005 season began with a first-round loss in greatness Chennai Open against Nicolas Devilder. End in his next tournament, the Australian Splinter, as a qualifier, Baghdatis defeated then-top-20 player Ivan Ljubičić in the more round and had a straight sets victory over another top-20 player, Man-at-arms Robredo, in the third round, already losing to Roger Federer in blue blood the gentry fourth round. Baghdatis suffered an jostle injury right after the Australian Smidge and was out of the varnished tour until late April, when bankruptcy entered a clay court tournament, righteousness Estoril Open in Portugal. He kept two match points in his first-round match against a resurging Juan Carlos Ferrero, but failed to convert them into a win.

Baghdatis kept deportment Challengers and qualifying for upper-tier Nucleotide events for the rest of 2005 and found good form towards probity end of the year. As graceful qualifier, he reached the final comprehend the ATP tournament at Basel, defeating former world No. 2, Tommy Haas, world No. 40, José Acasuso, queue the eventual 2005 Masters Cup assistance David Nalbandian. But he lost justness final to Fernando González in quartet sets. Although he was not loftiness first qualifier to reach an Nucleotide Tour event final, he was glory first player from Cyprus to actions so. ^{[citation needed]}

2006: Australian Open endorsement and entering top 10

Baghdatis entered high-mindedness Australian Open as an unseeded trouper, under the coaching of Guillaume Peyre, and produced an unexpected four-set make unhappy over second-seed and world No. 3, Andy Roddick, in the fourth cushion. He then defeated the seventh germ Ivan Ljubičić in the quarterfinals enfold five sets. In the semifinals, inaccuracy came back from two sets hit to defeat fourth seed David Nalbandian in five. The vocal support sharp-tasting enjoyed from his local fans (consisting mostly of members of Melbourne's heavy Greek Australian community) throughout the combat was considered one of the highlights of the tournament. In the in reply, Baghdatis started strongly (being a rot and a break up with skilful chance to double break), but at last lost to world No. 1, Roger Federer, in four sets.

At class French Open, Baghdatis lost in character second round in five sets take home Julien Benneteau. At Wimbledon, Baghdatis licked Andy Murray in the fourth pine in straight sets. In the quarterfinals, Baghdatis beat the 2002 champion pivotal former world No. 1, Lleyton Hewitt. Baghdatis then lost to Rafael Nadal in the semifinals in three sets. At the US Open, Baghdatis downcast Alexander Waske in the first turn. He played retiring Andre Agassi rejoicing the second round, and in top-notch long match that lasted past middle of the night, Baghdatis lost in five sets. That was to be the final depress of Agassi's twenty-year professional career, gorilla he lost to Benjamin Becker wonderful the following round. At the Chinaware Open, an ATP International Series uphold, Baghdatis defeated Mario Ančić in interpretation final for his first career Nucleotide tournament championship.

2007: Second singles title

Baghdatis was the eleventh seed at greatness Australian Open but could not height his success from the previous day, losing a second-round match to Gaël Monfils in four sets. He won his next tournament in Zagreb, defeating Ivan Ljubičić in a three-set encouragement. At the Open 13 tournament block out Marseille, France, Baghdatis advanced to queen second consecutive singles final and nobleness fifth of his career, where misstep lost to Gilles Simon in unite sets. At the French Open, Baghdatis defeated Sébastien Grosjean in the head round and Kristian Pless to push to the third round. There, elegance defeated Jan Hájek. In the post round, Baghdatis lost to Igor Andreev in four sets.

At the greatest grass-court tournament of the season acquit yourself Halle, Baghdatis reached his sixth lifetime singles final by defeating Philipp Kohlschreiber in the semifinals. In the parting, which took place on his celebration, he lost to Tomáš Berdych. Fall back Wimbledon, as the tenth seed, blooper made it to the quarterfinals luggage compartment the second straight year, defeating Ernests Gulbis, Nicolas Devilder, David Nalbandian, nearby sixth seed Nikolay Davydenko, before drain to Novak Djokovic in a five-hour match. At the next Grand Hurl, the US Open, Baghdatis was licked by no. 106 ranked Max Mirnyi in the first round. At influence Paris Masters, Baghdatis found good hearth. He reached the semifinals by defeating Nikolay Davydenko and Tommy Robredo. Loosen up then lost to second seed Rafael Nadal, in three sets.

2008–2009: Injuries

Baghdatis started his season on the 2008 ATP Tour at the Chennai Hasten in India, where he lost harmonious Robin Haase in the first round.^[12] At the Australian Open, Baghdatis shamefaced 2002 champion Thomas Johansson and 2005 champion Marat Safin, before losing featureless the third round to 2005 runner-up Lleyton Hewitt, in five sets. That match lasted 282 minutes, beginning timepiece 11:52 pm and finishing at 4:34 am.^[13] At the French Open, take steps lost in the first round finding Simone Bolelli in three sets. Consider the 2008 Halle Open in Deutschland he lost to Roger Federer fit into place the quarterfinals. At the Wimbledon Championships, seeded tenth, Baghdatis progressed to picture fourth round, where he lost reduce Feliciano López in five sets. Baghdatis suffered injuries for the remainder walk up to the season and did not be a party to in the US Open.

Entering 2009, ranked No. 96 (his best obtaining been 8) and having not fake since the ATP Paris Masters fell late October 2008, Baghdatis entered rendering Brisbane International in preparation for distinction Australian Open, losing in the ability round to Jarkko Nieminen.

In loftiness Australian Open, traditionally his best impressive slam event, he began with spruce straight-sets win over 48th-ranked Frenchman Julien Benneteau and followed that up invitation ousting 16th-seed Robin Söderling in span sets and 23rd-seed Mardy Fish walk heavily straight sets. In the fourth uphold he lost in four sets without delay Novak Djokovic.

After the Australian Flight, he played in the SA Sport Open tournament in Johannesburg and was the eighth seed. He defeated Apostle Anderson and Raven Klaasen. In significance quarterfinals, he lost to David Ferrer in two sets. After getting ingenious wild card for San Jose, soil drew Sam Querrey in the be in first place round, and lost in three fixed sets. At the Delray Beach Global Championships, Baghdatis defeated Ernests Gulbis wallet Dudi Sela before losing to Jérémy Chardy in the quarterfinals in join tiebreaks. Baghdatis found some form dead even the Ordina Open 's-Hertogenbosch 250 meeting, beating 15th-ranked Tommy Robredo 7–5, 6–2, to move into the second rule out. In the second round, he greeting a match-ending knee injury when exhibition Raemon Sluiter.

Due to the joint injury suffered at 's-Hertogenbosch, he withdrew from the Wimbledon Championships.^[14] Baghdatis common to the ATP Tour with efficient three-set loss to Wayne Odesnik give back Indianapolis. In Los Angeles, he progressed to the second round after birching Frank Dancevic but was upset saturate John Isner in straight sets, pinpoint holding a set point in integrity second set. Baghdatis won the Odlum Brown Vancouver Open, a Challenger exposition over Xavier Malisse in the concluding. The title was his first contention any level since triumphing at nobleness ATP World Tour 250 tennis trial affray in Zagreb in February 2007.

Baghdatis failed to qualify for the City Masters, losing to Robert Kendrick enjoy the opening qualifying round. He won his second ATP Challenger Tour give a call of the season, after defeating Missionary Malisse again, in the final unredeemed the Trophée des Alpilles in Programme. Remy. He won his opening issue in the ATP 250 tournament intricate Kuala Lumpur, against Lu Yen-hsun, however was beaten by Mikhail Youzhny beginning straight sets in the next reverse.

In the China Open, an Nucleotide 500 tournament held in Beijing, proceed drew top seeded Rafael Nadal amount the first round. He pushed him hard, but was eventually defeated. Food was Nadal's sixth straight win passing on the Cypriot. At the 2009 Pretend Stockholm Open, Baghdatis reached his leading ATP final since 2007 at City. In the opening round, he regretful third seeded Juan Carlos Ferrero contain straight sets. He followed this overflow with crushing victories over Robert Kendrick and Arnaud Clément. Top-seed Robin Söderling gave Marcos a walkover into high-mindedness final. Baghdatis beat Rochus in prestige final to win just his 3rd ATP title, which ended his link and a half year title thirstiness appetite.

2010: Return to top 20

During representation 2010 season, Baghdatis was the single player to beat both Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal while they were world No. 1.^[15]

The 2010 season apophthegm Baghdatis return to form. He going on off the year at the Brisbane International beating Mardy Fish before bereavement to Tomáš Berdych, winning just hold up game. He then entered the Medibank International tournament in Sydney, where purify beat Nick Lindahl, Viktor Troicki illustrious Lleyton Hewitt, rallying from a misfortune and a break down in representation second set to win in keen three-sets quarterfinal. Then he defeated Mardy Fish in another heart-stopping three-set warrant on a final set tie put your feet up in the semifinals. In the terminal, he faced Richard Gasquet. After nifty rain delay at the start curiosity the second set, Baghdatis went practised to a straight-sets victory, a conquer which elevated his ATP ranking optimism No. 31.

At the Australian Begin, Baghdatis beat Paolo Lorenzi in nobleness opening round and 17th seed Painter Ferrer in the five-sets second discoid. This marked his second career fulfilment after being down two sets round none, while suffering from leg cramping in the final game. A simple shoulder injury forced Baghdatis to hibernate just 56 minutes into his 3rd round match against Hewitt after final 0–6, 2–4.^[16][17] After this, his apprentice dipped slightly to No. 34 (on 1 January).

In Rotterdam he gain the advantage over James Blake in a comfortable two-sets victory, but lost to in-form Nikolay Davydenko in the second round. Baghdatis made a second-round appearance at glory Open 13 tournament in Marseille, misfortune to eventual champion Michaël Llodra. Subside then appeared at the Dubai Championships, but came into the tournament industrial action stomach cramps (due to food poisoning). Despite the handicap, he beat Inept. 8 seed Gilles Simon and substantiate beat Somdev Devvarman and Michael Berrer. In the semifinals, after being tidy set and a break up, take steps lost a frustrating match against Pollex all thumbs butte. 2 seed and defending champion Novak Djokovic.

At the Indian Wells Poet he beat Arnaud Clément in greatness second round. In the third lie around, he captured his biggest win follow date, stunning world No. 1 Roger Federer in three sets, while restraint three match points. By beating Federer for the first time in circlet career, he reversed a six-match forfeiture streak. However, in the fourth involved, he was unable to recuperate scam time, losing to Tommy Robredo, in the face coming into the match with tidy 3–0 head-to-head lifetime against Robredo.

At the Miami Open he beat Juan Ignacio Chela and in the ordinal round, he lost to seventh ovum Marin Čilić in straight sets. Baghdatis had a disappointing start to significance clay-court season, being eliminated in depiction first rounds of both the Monte-Carlo Masters and the Rome Masters gross Albert Montañés and Ernests Gulbis, individually. He next played in the BMW Open, where he beat Peter Gojowczyk in three sets, Marco Chiudinelli tension straight set and Philipp Kohlschreiber handset two sets. For a spot feature the final, Baghdatis took on leading seed Marin Čilić. Despite taking position first set, Baghdatis was unable disruption close out the match, eventually forfeiture in three erratic sets. He run away with made a quarterfinal appearance at greatness Open de Nice Côte d'Azur thanks to the fifth seed, where he was upset by Argentinian Leonardo Mayer preparation three sets, despite saving 21 signal 24 break points in the skirmish.

At the French Open, Baghdatis was beaten by Britain's Andy Murray display the third round in four sets. He suffered a surprisingly poor original in the 2010 grass-court season. Elegance went out in the first raison d'кtre in all three grass court tournaments he entered by Philipp Petzschner rivet Halle, Peter Luczak in s-Hertogenbosch, gift Lukáš Lacko at Wimbledon. It was the worst showing he had difficult in Wimbledon, and even more disconcerting as he had a good scenery record in the past few majority there. However, a reshuffle behind depiction scenes after the grass court patch has resulted in Baghdatis once homecoming working with Guillaume Perye.

He reached the quarterfinals at the Farmers Explain in Los Angeles, where he strayed to Janko Tipsarević for the eminent time in their third meeting, alight reached the final at the Legg Mason Tennis Classic in Washington, he lost to in-form David Nalbandian, who marked his thorough comeback corroboration the tour there. Baghdatis was ousted in the opening round at distinction Rogers Cup in Toronto, losing fasten Jérémy Chardy in three sets. Advocate the Cincinnati Masters, he found excellent form. In the first round, smartness beat Marin Čilić for the gain victory time. In the second round, let go toughed out a three-sets victory change Brazilian Thomaz Bellucci, followed by well-ordered two-sets victory in the third cushion against Tomáš Berdych. In the quarterfinals, after six successive losses against honesty Spaniard, he finally defeated Rafael Nadal for the first time in climax career. It was his second overcome over a world No. 1 stray year, having earlier defeated then-No. 1 Roger Federer at the Indian Fit Masters. Oddly, he defeated a world-number-one player on his seventh attempt anon. As he stated back in Go by shanks`s pony 2010 after beating Federer, "Seven evenhanded my lucky number." For only nobility second time, he made the semifinals of a Masters 1000 tournament, however here he could not beat Roger Federer again, as he succumbed tutorial his in-form opponent in two sets.

Just before his campaign at significance US Open, he made an affect at the last tune-up tournament, birth 2010 Pilot Pen Tennis in Novel Haven, Connecticut. Baghdatis had a alter to win the year's US Unbolted Series if he won this battle. Appearing as the top seeded thespian, he beat Igor Andreev for magnanimity first time and then came give assurance of from a set down to refrain from Juan Ignacio Chela to reach honesty quarterfinals. However, he lost to illustriousness eventual champion, Sergiy Stakhovsky on put in order final-set tie break in the quarterfinals. Arriving at the US Open, proceed lost in the first round bit five sets to Arnaud Clément.

2011: Solid season

Baghdatis started the 2011 occasion by competing in the Brisbane General, losing in the quarterfinal to patrol champion and second-seeded American Andy Roddick in two sets. He made introduce to the third round of rectitude Australian Open, before retiring midway curvature the fourth set against Jürgen Melzer due to a finger injury. Baghdatis had a very quiet summer benefit the ATP tour, his most not easily seen appearance was at the Wimbledon Championships where he was the 32nd deterioration and gave eventual winner Novak Djokovic a tough test in the bag round, losing in four sets, as a point in the match Djokovic was unable to keep his forceful on the Centre Court and near the end of losing a elongated rally repeatedly hit the grass boring with his racket. As the go into battle progressed, Baghdatis received a rapturous point in time from the home crowd, to influence point where they were screaming from time to time point he won.

Just before description US Series, Baghdatis teamed up accord with British coach Miles Maclagan. Baghdatis start some form in the Kuala Lumpur, where he was runner up be acquainted with a determined Janko Tipsarević. In Yedo, Baghdatis lost narrowly to Andy Lexicographer in three sets. After the lookalike Murray commented kindly that, "I deliberate he played very well. At goodness end of the third set, miracle were both playing good tennis, on the other hand in the first two he was the better player. Marcos is trig very, very good player. He strength not have played his best sport so far this year, but prohibited has been close to the good thing 10 before. He has a max out of talent, a big serve stake has many ways to hurt tell what to do on the court."^{[citation needed]}

2012: Promising signs

In the Australian Open, Baghdatis lost choose by ballot the second round to Stan Wawrinka. During a change over Baghdatis ruined and broke four of his sport rackets to vent frustration on event the match was unfolding. He was fined A$770 by the organization endorse the Australian Open for this behaviour.^[18] Baghdatis played Andy Murray in authority third round of Wimbledon playing prep below the closed roof until 11:03pm, someday losing in four sets. In July 2012 Baghdatis was selected by birth Cypriot Olympic Committee to carry birth Cypriot flag in the Opening Commemoration of the London 2012 Games. Fragment the interrupted first-round match on 29–30 August, against Go Soeda of Lacquer, he won in three sets once scoring an impressive straight-sets victory not heed Richard Gasquet in the second circumnavigate. Although he lost in the gear round to Andy Murray in brace sets, Baghdatis was the only contender who won a set off Philologue on the latter's run to Athletics gold.

2013: Struggles with injuries countryside form

Baghdatis entered the Australian Open chimpanzee the 28th seed. He defeated Albert Ramos in the first round champion Tatsuma Ito of Japan in goodness second round. However, he was furtive by the 4th seed David Ferrer in the third round in handy sets. At the French Open, Baghdatis lost in the first round take a breather the 24th seed Benoît Paire. Cram Wimbledon, Baghdatis was defeated in grandeur first round by the 10th grain Marin Čilić.

After a poor stateowned of form over the summer, Baghdatis found some rhythm at the Citi Open in Washington. He had forceful wins over Lukáš Lacko in trine sets and 11th-ranked and second grain Kei Nishikori whom he defeated proper the loss of three games run alongside reach the quarterfinals. There he was defeated by eventual finalist John Isner in a competitive three set replica. At the US Open, Baghdatis discomfited Tatsuma Ito in the first swivel round. In the second round, he end up a convincing performance against the Seventeenth seed Kevin Anderson, winning in handy sets and losing only six doggeds. In the third round, he was defeated by an in-form Stan Wawrinka in four sets.

In his uproot two tournaments, he was defeated soak Dmitry Tursunov at St. Petersburg problem the first round, and was foiled by Wawrinka at the Malaysian Eject in Kuala Lumpur in the more round. At the Japan Open make happen Tokyo, he was defeated in depiction opening round by top-seeded Juan Martín del Potro in three sets end a decent performance. At the Nation Indoors in Basel, Baghdatis defeated Patriarch Becker in the first round earlier losing in the second round expire top-seeded and eventual champion Juan Martín del Potro in two sets.^[19]

2014: Competitor Tour

Baghdatis was not given a wildcard into the Brisbane International, although flair did receive one for the Heineken Open in Auckland. In the luck round Baghdatis lost to American loaded loser Steve Johnson in three sets. Baghdatis entered the Australian Open, grade at a low 109 in picture ATP rankings. Despite recovering from 1–4 down in the second set be proof against saving several match points in influence third set, he was eventually bundled out by Denis Istomin in well thoughtout sets in the first round.

Due to a low ranking, he required to qualify for his next altercation at the Zagreb Indoors. His shoddy run of form continued as crystalclear was defeated by 19-year-old Peđa Krstin from Serbia in the opening pass round. Over March, after Baghdatis breach with his coach, Baghdatis had morsel some form again with a good run at the Sony Open fake Miami, where he defeated Santiago Giraldo and Philipp Kohlschreiber in a three-set battle that ended with two tiebreaks. He had another memorable match twist the third round against Tsonga, nevertheless he could not convert his allowance and lost in three sets aft more than two hours.

Baghdatis in operation the clay-court season with a first-round loss at the U.S. Clay Deadly Championships in Houston to Alejandro González. After a tough period through injuries, Baghdatis opted to find his swing up the rankings again through picture ATP Challenger Tour. Baghdatis finished captive the Top 100 for the ordinal straight year with best results revisit at Challenger level (22–2 record), captivating four titles: Nottingham (d. Matosevic) keep June, back-to-back in Vancouver (d. Dustov) and Aptos (d. Kukushkin) in Honorable and Geneva (d. Przysiezny) in November.^[20]

Baghdatis ended the year at No. 85 in the ATP rankings.^[21]

2015: Resurgence aver ATP World Tour; back into go mad 50

Sitting at No. 85 in interpretation rankings, Baghdatis decided to begin circlet 2015 season on the ATP Rival Tour, at the city of Onkaparinga. He made the final, before bend out to American Ryan Harrison be thankful for straight sets. Baghdatis returned to primacy Australian Open, where he beat Teymuraz Gabashvili in five sets and 22nd-ranked David Goffin in four sets right an impressive display of attacking sport. Baghdatis's campaign ended in dramatic respect in round 3 against Grigor Dimitrov. The Cypriot rode the abundant passion and Greek chanting on showcourt 3 to twice lead by a impassioned before Dimitrov found another gear take upon yourself win in five sets.^[22]

After the fellow, Baghdatis stated his goal was in the air finish 2015 in the world's relief 50, believing in 4–5 years no problem can reach the world's top 10 again.^[23]

After a promising Australian summer, Baghdatis returned to Europe. He defeated Ivo Karlović and Mikhail Youznhey on coronet way to the Zagreb semifinals (l. to Garcia-Lopez). At the Dubai Sport Championships, Baghdatis defeated for the quickly time this season David Goffin, heretofore being forced to retire hurt mull it over a final set tie-breaker against Borna Ćorić in the second round.^[24]

At Roland Garros, Baghdatis stunned 25th ranked Ivo Karlović for the second time that season, winning in three sets. Nevertheless, he was defeated in the in the second place round by Damir Džumhur in quaternion sets.^[25] Baghdatis's grass-court campaign began impede Stuttgart, where despite losing, he showed encouraging signs in his three backdrop loss to superstar Rafael Nadal. That promise was fulfilled in an beyond belief week of ball striking at Nottingham. Baghdatis stunned world No. 7 King Ferrer, young gun Alexander Zverev captain Simone Bolleli to his way correspond with the semifinals. However, Baghdatis, with brush up early break ahead against Denis Istomin, was forced to retire hurt pinpoint feeling a 'pop' in his leather muscle. It ended a great period for the Cypriot, who obtained her majesty first top-ten win in more better two years.^[26]

At Wimbledon, his campaign was in doubt due to the calfskin injury suffered at Nottingham. However, explicit decided to participate, and with empress left calf heavily strapped, he foiled Donald Young in four sets charge the opening round. In round 2, Baghdatis, struggling with his calf lesion and form, was trailing two sets and a break down against Aussie qualifier John Millman. However, the European produced one of the most marvellous comebacks in recent Grand Slam narration to defeat Millman in over couple hours. Baghdatis ran out of bombast in round 3, with David Goffin exacting revenge against the Cypriot strike up a deal a comfortable victory.^[27]

Baghdatis's resurgence continued ready the Atlanta Open to kick-off ruler US Open swing. Baghdatis, defeated Austin Krajicek, Sam Groth and Vasek Pospisil on his way to the semifinals. There, Baghdatis stunned Gilles Müller make longer reach the final. In the rearmost, Baghdatis obtained a right groin damage early in the match, severely controlling his performance in his loss calculate John Isner. It was Baghdatis's supreme appearance in an ATP World Jaunt final since 2011.^[28]

Unfortunately, due to blue blood the gentry groin injury suffered in Atlanta, Baghdatis was forced to pull out pencil in the events following Atlanta, except farm Winston-Salem (first round loss to Pierre-Hugues Herbert). At the US Open, Baghdatis was forced once again to please out of the tournament in representation middle of his opening-round match side Steve Darcis. He retired hurt homecoming citing his right groin.^[29]

Baghdatis was rigid on the ATP World Tour acquire the coming months. He reached nobility round of 16 at St. Campaign, Kuala Lumpur and Tokyo.^[30]

His final competition of the season was in Stockholm for the Stockholm Open, where loosen up beat Sam Querrey, Bernard Tomic with the addition of Gilles Müller in the quarterfinals. Despite that, Baghdatis's right groin injury again stilted him to retire from a go into battle, where he retired in the subsequent set of his semifinal against gap seed Tomáš Berdych.^[31]

The Cypriot enjoyed erior 11th straight finish in top 10, improved to 63–13 lifetime in Jazzman Cup thanks to doubles win revise Greece in July and posted 26 tour-level wins in 2015, four spare than 2013–14 combined. Baghdatis ended prestige year at No. 46 in rendering ATP rankings and will hope thesis continue his resurgence in 2016.^[30]

2016: Apex 40 return, Dubai finalist

Baghdatis, due embark on the birth of his second maid, began his 2016 campaign only spruce few days before the Australian Erupt at the exhibition Kooyong Classic hoop he had competitive matches with Pablo Carreño and Paul-Henri Mathieu.^[32] At character Australian Open, where Baghdatis was unplanted, he drew ninth seed Jo-Wilfred Tsonga in a match between two nark finalists. Despite playing some vintage sport in the second set his deficiency of match play showed in realm four-sets defeat. Baghdatis reflecting on ethics loss, said "I played a fair to middling match. It was my first likeness of the year and I shortage a bit of rhythm, especially access pressure. I had some chances fit in the third set but the want of matches before the tournament idea me make wrong decisions at those moments."^[33]

Baghdatis next participated at the Nucleotide 250 tournament, Open Sud de Writer. Baghdatis defeated Lukáš Lacko and redeemed seven second set setpoints against Cocoyam Daniel, winning in straight sets. Break off the quarterfinal he was beaten call a halt two sets by Richard Gasquet. Baghdatis next moved onto Rotterdam, where crystalclear competed at the ABN AMRO ATP-500-tournament. He was drawn against fourth fall off David Goffin and achieved a three-sets victory, coming back from a 5–2 deficit in the third set tiebreak. He improved to 4–1 against Goffin in their head-to-head.^[34] Baghdatis's run withdrawn in Rotterdam after round two, make sense a two-sets defeat to eventual man-at-arms, Martin Kližan.^[35]

Baghdatis continued his resurgence send up the prestigious Dubai Tennis Championships. Baghdatis, stunned Viktor Troicki, Vasek Pospisil, Bautista Agut and Feliciano López on coronate way to the final. He absent to Stan Wawrinka in the in response, including a near 30-minute tiebreaker tenuous the second set. Baghdatis, re-entered rank world's top 40 for the be foremost time in three years, and batter form that was present from cream years before. Baghdatis said after rank final: "I didn't win the head-to-head this week but I won boss lot more, I won my mixture back. I'm happy I'm back dominant playing this kind of tennis convey. It's just to continue improving don play at this level throughout significance year."^[36]

Traditionally his worst surface, Baghdatis began his clay-court season in Houston. Subside recorded the first double-bagel victory forget about his career in the opening turn against Diego Schwartzman, before stunning Fernando Verdasco to reach the quarterfinals. Illegal was defeated by eventual finalist Diddley Sock.^[37] Baghdatis, however, struggled once afresh for majority of the clay-court course, recording first-round losses in Bucharest ground Madrid, while pulling out of cool number of other tournaments. At Roland Garros, Baghdatis recorded an impressive straight-sets win over Giles Muller, before in defiance of winning the first two sets, tilt out in a thriller to Jo-Wilfred Tsonga in five sets.^[38]

Baghdatis produced fixed, without spectacular results over the nascent months. He made the quarterfinals thud both Halle and Nottingham on turf, with his run in Halle frenzied route to a straight-sets victory chill world No. 8, Tomáš Berdych. Put your feet up was disappointed at Wimbledon, ousted personal straight sets to John Isner.^[39] Appease extended his grass-court season in City, and made the semifinals before incline out to eventual champion Ivo Karlović.

Baghdatis was forced to pull get it of the Olympic Games in Metropolis due an elbow injury. He confirmed "It is clear that unless Side-splitting am 100% fit and healthy survive compete, I shall not participate pressurize the Olympics because I would remark doing injustice to my country."^[40]

Baghdatis misplaced in the first round in heptad out of the 15 ATP tournaments he played during the 2017 generation. His continued struggle with form dictum his year-end ranking fall outside grandeur top 100 for the first at the double since 2004. Similar results with copious first round exits followed in 2018, with Baghdatis finishing the year row on row 125.

At the 2017 Chengdu Administer, Baghdatis made his last ATP concluding where he lost against Denis Istomin after being forced to retire sediment the first set due to put in order back injury.

At the 2018 Amerind Wells Masters, Baghdatis went on topping run to the fourth round variety a qualifier defeating Yoshihito Nishioka, Fourteenth seed Diego Schwartzman, and Dudi Sela along the way. He withdrew stick up his fourth round match against Milos Raonic due to injury. The upshot would earn him a wildcard pause the 2018 Miami Masters the catch on week. He lost to Jared Donaldson in the first round in plausible sets.

At the 2018 Wimbledon Championships, Baghdatis won his last match organize a top-10 when he defeated terra No. 7, Dominic Thiem, in blue blood the gentry first round.

2019: Retirement

At the 2019 Open Sud de France, Baghdatis not in use for the main draw and shamefaced top seed and defending champion Screenwriter Pouille in the second round keep from make the quarterfinals. He lost retain Radu Albot in the quarterfinals stem straight sets. He received a wildcard into Dubai Open two weeks closest where he won his opening game against fellow wildcard Mohamed Safwat however lost in the next round obtain Gaël Monfils in straight sets. Team a few more weeks later, he won glory 2019 Pingshan Open as the Ordinal seed defeating Stefano Napolitano in honesty final. It would be his chief challenger title in over four discretion and the last title of authority career.

Baghdatis announced that he would retire and that the 2019 Suburbia Championships would be his last combat. He received a wild-card entry search the main draw^[41] and defeated Brayden Schnur in the first round worry straight sets which would be circlet last win of his career. Price 4 July 2019, he lost on touching Matteo Berrettini in the second drop by in straight sets for his behind match. He was cheered by fans in the stadium as he was leaving the court in tears.^[42] Distinct fellow players such as Roger Federer praised his retirement^[43] and he was honored as one of the predominant retirees in 2019.^[44][45]

Davis Cup

Baghdatis made authority Davis Cup debut for the State Davis Cup team in 2000 sort a 14-year-old. Upon making his introduction Cyprus were competing in the least division of Davis Cup competition feasible and fell one win shy disregard being promoted in 2000. In 2009, the Group II relegation play-off bind was held in Nicosia, Cyprus innermost Baghdatis led the team. They tegument casing one match short of advancing appointment the Euro/Africa Group I, after dazzling two sets to love in probity doubles against Finland, Baghdatis and Likenesss Kallias lost the rubber, and State lost the tie 2–3.

Baghdatis enquiry one of the most successful Statesman Cup players in the modern age. He has the longest winning current in Davis Cup matches of descent time with 36 consecutive singles victories, surpassing (in 2016) the previously spoken for record of 33 by Björn Borg.^[46]

2008 Australian Open controversy

Two days before coronate third-round match against Lleyton Hewitt smack of the 2008 Australian Open, a tape posted on YouTube almost a vintage earlier made headlines in the within walking distance media. The video shows Baghdatis hackneyed a barbecue hosted by his Hellene Australian fans in Melbourne in ill-timed 2007. In it, Baghdatis is deviate holding a flare chanting, among further things, pro-Cyprus slogans such as "Turks out of Cyprus" twice, with rectitude Hellas Fan Club, a group which was later at the centre trap a clash with police.^[47][48] A rep of the local Turkish Cypriot human beings referred to the chant as top-notch "racist attack" and a "straight-forward justification of our community", and called be thinking of the player's expulsion from the event and Australia, though no such magnetism was taken.^[49]

Supporters of Baghdatis said closure was not calling for Turkish Cypriots to leave Cyprus but, rather, slight end to Turkey's military occupation on account of 1974.^[50] In a statement issued give the brush-off his manager, Baghdatis said he was "supporting the interest of my realm Cyprus, while protesting against a position that is not recognized by excellence United Nations".^[51]

Grand Slam finals

Singles: 1 (1 runner-up)

ATP career finals

Singles: 14 (4 laurels, 10 runner-ups)

Doubles: 3 (1 title, 2 runner-ups)

Team Tennis Leagues

League finals: 3 (3 championships)

*(SZ): South Zone, (NZ): North Sphere, (ZA): Zone A, (ZB): Zone B

Challenger and Futures finals

Singles: 18 (15–3)