MARCOS BAGHDATIS gave Cyprus the start they were looking for in their Davis Cup clash with Finland defeating Juho Paukku in straight sets 6-4, 6-3, 7-6.
In front of a packed arena at the National Cyprus Tennis Centre in Nicosia Baghdatis made a shaky start. His served seemed to suffer the most, while the left-handed Paukka enjoyed plenty of early success.
The defensive Finn was more than content just to keep the ball in play as long as possible in the hope of picking up the points with unforced errors and it was a tactic that drew success as Baghdatis put his shots wide and long in the early skirmishes as he looked for outright winners against an opponent he knew he had to beat.
It took six games for Baghdatis to make the breakthrough, a more assured touch in evidence along with a far greater range of shots making the difference.
Forced into a more attacking mode Paukka displayed good range and length off the forehand but it was never enough to trouble Baghdatis who closed the set out with two unreturnable serves.
With the early advantage established, the 21-year-old Cypriot prodded for weaknesses in his opponent and found Paukka’s backhand a source of lots of easy points.
The second set went with serve until the third game when Baghdatis pulled off an audacious backhand lob which left his opponent completely stranded.
The entire mood of the match changed, the crowd were sent into raptures and Baghdatis visibly improved from then on, at times completely outclassing Paukku.
Baghadatis was now in his element, feeding off the energy and excitement of the crowd, who were becoming increasingly vocal during the breaks. They even broke out into Mexican waves orchestrated by Marcos’ brother.
Baghdatis secured the second set by breaking the Finn at 5-3 and allowed himself to break into a smile and high fives with coach Yiannos Hadjigeorgiou.
Paukku visibly tired during the third set as Baghdatis moved him around the court with a series of drop shots and lobs but without finding the killer finish to secure another break.
As the set continued to go with serve the young Finn regained confidence and let loose with a series of unreturnable forehands of his own.
This seemed to sting Baghdatis who regained his focus and applied more pressure but failed to secure another break.
Paukku deservedly took the set to a tie-breaker and again held his own, forcing an error from Baghdatis as he tripped attempting to return a drop shot which brought the scores level at 3-3.
As Paukku made his way to the other end of the court Baghdatis went to his chair to change his clay stained shirt and exchange a few quite words with coach Hadjigeorgiou.
Baghdatis returned with renewed determination and focus, winning every point and securing the tie-breaker 7-3.
The familiar smile broke out again as he orchestrated a series of ‘Ol?s’ from an ecstatic crowd.
