Baghdatis beats number one Nadal to qualify for Cincinnati semis

CYPRIOT tennis player Marcos Baghdatis, beat world number one Raphael Nadal, 2-1 sets in the quarterfinals of the Cincinnati, Ohio Masters Tournament.

Baghdatis won the first set 6-4, lost the second 4-6 and won the third 6-4.

Nadal was well below his best against an inspired Baghdatis, whose big serve was on full power – he blasted 18 aces while the Spaniard could manage just four.

The match turned decisively in favor of Baghdatis, who had lost all six previous meetings with Nadal when the Spaniard double-faulted at break point with the game at 4-4 in the third.

It was a mistake the Nadal described as “criminal” and the 20th ranked Baghdatis served out for the win, giving himself a major confidence boost ahead of the U.S. Open, which begins on August 30.

“I’m playing good; I’m feeling happy on court. I’m out of injuries. It’s nice when you wake up and you don’t have pain somewhere,” said the Cypriot, beaten finalist in Washington earlier this month.

In the semifinals, Baghdatis will be playing against Roger Federer, seeded second.

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