Where Baghdatis ranks: In good company

Baghdatis on the court

2009 main draw entrant Marcos Baghdatis deserves to be mentioned when speaking of the top players we’ve had at the tournament over the last 4 years. Marcos has youth and some significant achievements already. His career is stellar, reaching the pinnacle as a junior and continuing that momentum in his first years as a pro. He is known for his good personality as well, demonstrated best by his performances at the US Open (recall the night match against Agassi, one prior to Agassi’s last in ‘07).

Marcos’ play has been complicated in the past couple years by injuries. Most recently, he sustained a knee injury the week before Wimbledon and was out 3 weeks. In 2008 he was out for 2 months after Wimbledon then retired in multiple tournaments on account of back problems & a wrist fracture. An ankle sprain early in 2008 kept him out most of the clay season.

Once again, we get to witness a professional who has reached a Grand Slam final and certainly has plenty of years ahead of him. Any way you look at the resume, he should be very interesting to watch.

How Marcos compares to three other top players we’ve had here recently:

  Age & Rank
at time of LG&T appearance		 Place at LG&T Titles Rank highlights Notable
Marcos Baghdatis 24, #148 2009 Entrant Slam Finalist in 2006 (Australian), 2 titles World #8 (3 years ago) #1 Junior in 2003
Thomas Johansson 32, #71 2007 Champion Australian Open Champ (2002), 9 titles World #7 (5 years prior to LG&T)  
Mark Phillippoussis 30, #121 2006 Semifinalist 2 time Slam finalist ('03 Wimbledon, '98 US Open), 11 titles World #8 (3 years prior to LG&T)  
Andy Murray 17, #153 2005 Champion US Open boys champ (2004), SF of French Junior (2005) Went from #407 to #64, most improved ranking in 2005 Won 2 challengers; reached 3rd round of Wimbledon & Queen's in month prior to LG&T (all in first 6 months of turning pro)