Baghdatis through to Kremlin Cup semi-finals

Marcos Baghdatis progressed to the ATP World Tour 250 Kremlin Cup semi-finals after producing a quality serving display to overcome Alexandr Dolgopolov of Ukraine in straight sets 6-2, 7-6(7) yesterday evening in Moscow.

The Cypriot number one made a quick start to the match as he broke Dolgopolov’s serve in the third service game with a testing forehand crosscourt pass to force an error from the Ukrainian. He then broke his opponents’ serve again in the seventh game to take a 5-2 lead and after an easy game on his serve Baghdatis clinched the opener.

There were no breaks of serve in the second set as Dolgopolov fought off all three break opportunities Baghdatis had to force the tie-break. The Ukrainian then gambled away 6-4 and 7-6 tie-break leads to provide the Limassol native with a match point he immediately converted to advance into the semis after an hour and 22 minutes of playing time.

Taking his chances

“I lost to Dolgopolov in Beijing after leading in the first set and in the second set. I took my chances this time and I was a bit lucky in the tie-break,” stated Baghdatis.

After this win Baghdatis reached his sixth ATP World Tour semi-final of the season and avenged the defeat he suffered to Dolgopolov two weeks ago in the opening round of the China Open in Beijing.

The next opponent for the fourth-seeded Cypriot is Uzbek Denis Istomin and should Baghdatis beat him he would then have an opportunity to battle in his 10th career tour final.

The world number 46 Istomin, who defeated Igor Kunitsyn of Russia 6-2, 6-4 in his quarter-final encounter, has never played against Baghdatis at an ATP World Tour, Grand Slam or Davis Cup main draw event.

However, in 2009 Baghdatis beat Istomin 6-3, 1-6, 6-3 in the finals of the Tashkent Challenger.

Favourite, focus

“I am the favourite now but I need to be focused and just worry about my next match. Denis is tough; I played him once last year,” Baghdatis concluded.

The match is set to take place today on centre court, not before 17:00 Cyprus time.

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