Cypriot fan favourite Marcos Baghdatis has won his fourth career and first Australian title at the Medibank International Sydney, defeating Frenchman Richard Gasquet.
World No. 42 Baghdatis won the rain-interrupted final 6-4 7-6(2) in front of vocal and enthusiastic crowd at Ken Rosewall Arena at the Sydney Olympic Park Tennis Centre.
Baghdatis, who was buoyed by the Greek Cypriot crowd support in the final, dropped to the ground in celebration of his win and said he loved visiting Australia.
“I have great support here. People are very friendly and nice,” Baghdatis said.
“I’m very happy that I won today.”
Baghdatis dedicated the win to his brother who is celebrating his birthday and also donated $5000 of his prizemoney to the World Vision Earthquake appeal.
Gasquet said that his opponent played well and deserved the win.
“I preferred to win this tournament,” Gasquet said.
“But I lost to Marcos, a great player. He played well and played a good game.”
Baghdatis got off to a flying start breaking Gasquet in the opening game, much to the delight of the spirited Ken Rosewall Arena crowd.
He held onto the break to take the first set 6-4, before the heavens opened and forced a 75 minute rain interruption.
Gasquet was the one that came out firing in the second set racing out to a 5-2 lead before the Cypriot fought his way back to level at 6 games all.
Nerves got the better of the Frenchman as Gasquet served consecutive double faults to give Baghdatis three match points.
Baghdatis only needed one as he took the tiebreak 7 points to 2 and the Medibank International Sydney title.
Earlier in the day top seeds Daniel Nestor (Can) and Nenad Zimonjic (SRB) defeated unseeded pair Ross Hutchins (GBR) and Jordan Kerr (AUS) 6-3 7-6(2) to win their first Medibank International Sydney title as a team.