‘I’m back and want more,’ says Baghdatis

MARCOS Baghdatis yesterday upset Serbia sixth seed Viktor Troicki 7-5 6-3 at the Sydney International to set up a last eight encounter with home favourite Lleyton Hewitt.

Speaking afterwards, the Cypriot, the 2006 Australian Open finalist who has struggled with injuries in the last year, said: “It’s been tough but now I’m back. I’m in the top 50 and I think I’m hungry and want more and more. That’s pretty positive.”

Hewitt, chasing his fifth title in Sydney, is the only seeded player through to the quarter-finals of the men’s draw after a day of surprise results.

Hewitt sealed his passage in emphatic fashion with a 6-0 6-2 victory over Italian Andreas Seppi to set up the clash with Baghdatis..

“It was perfect today,” Hewitt said. “If he was gonna win a point, he had to play a bloody good point to get past me.”

The last time Hewitt played Baghdatis was at the Australian Open two years ago in a titanic match that did not finish until 4.34am, the latest finish in grand slam history.

“I would have wanted to wipe it out of my memory box if I’d lost the match in five sets,” Hewitt said.

“But obviously winning an epic match in your home grand slam, yeah, stuff like that always stays in the back of your mind.”

“I think he is favorite,” said Baghdatis of Hewitt. “He is playing well, and he is playing at home. I will just go out there and try to find solutions to win.

I think Hewitt can play great tennis. He just has to keep healthy. It is not very easy because a lot of guys now are fitter. It is a tougher, more physical game than before. You have to be unbelievably fit to get back in the Top 10. That is what I am trying to do, that is my goal,” concluded Baghdatis.