Crowd favourite Marcos Baghdatis has survived a tough first round match at Australian Open 2011 after edging past Slovenian qualifier Grega Zemlja in a thrilling 3-6 7-5 6-1 4-6 6-2 win on Tuesday evening in three hours and 23 minutes. The 21st-seeded Cypriot began his Open campaign slowly on Show Court 3, dropping his first service game in the opening set. But he quickly bounced back to level the set at two games apiece. Zemlja didn’t shy away though, winning the next three games for a 5-2 advantage before taking the set with a forehand smash at the net after 38 minutes.
In the following set, games went on serve in what turned out to be an intense encounter, winners bouncing off both players’ racquets as they each produced exciting tennis for their adoring fans. Baghdatis, who is known for having a huge Greek fan base at Melbourne Park, finally gave his vocal fans something to cheer about when he sealed the 11th game with an ace, pumping himself up with a loud “come on!” The former finalist was then gifted the set in the next game after Zemlja miss-hit a forehand wide equalling the match at one set all.
With the crowd now in full force cheering Baghdatis on with their customary chants between points, the Cypriot instantly turned the match around, winning five consecutive games to claim the third set in a speedy 28 minutes. But although Zemlja looked to have lost his way, he didn’t make it easy for 25 year-old Baghdatis in the fourth, capitalising to break Baghdatis and level proceedings 2-2.
Similar to the second set, games went on serve and Zemlja began to make Baghdatis work all around the court before he forced the match into a deciding set. Baghdatis quickly replied, scoring a double break in the fifth set for a 3-0 lead. Locked in a crucial third game, including one rally which consisted of 29 points, Baghdatis claimed the second break with a forehand winner at the net before stretching his lead to 5-1.
Serving to stay in the match, Zemlja saved two match points by delivering two powerful aces, forcing Baghdatis to serve out the set and match in the following game as Zemlja dumped a backhand into the net. After the match, Baghdatis received a standing ovation from the crowd thanking them for their support with his routine salute.
The world No.22 now has another tough battle and is up against former US open champion Juan Martin Del Potro in the next round.
