Tennis story by Boris Webb, Fri, 27 Jan 2006 10:48:01 GMT


MELBOURNE - Marcos Baghdatis' giant-killing run has been the story of the Australian Open so far and it will go into a legendary status should he manage to win the trophy on Sunday. His 3-6, 5-7, 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 upset of number 4 seed David Nalbandian sent Cyprus into delirium and it is reported that the nation will go crazy if Baghdatis wins.

The 20-year-old Baghdatis has been exempted from national service back in Cyprus so that he can focus on his tennis. He repaid that favor handsomely on Thursday as he outlasted a dour Nalbandian, who had said that he wanted to make it to all the Grand Slam finals this year.

It was not all easy though, as he admitted after the match. After a seesawing final set when he was serving for the match at 5-4 and 15-all, the heavens opened up forcing a 26-minute delay. "I just start thinking what will happen after the match and stuff. I went in the changing room and I just saw my coach. I told him, 'What do I do?' I just didn't know what to do," Baghdatis said.

"He just told me, 'I'm not scared for you, I'm scared for him.' It pumped me up. I think it was good coaching, so was great." Baghdatis came back from the break and forced the win much to the delight of the noisy Cypriots who have been following him all through the tournament.

"It was like a sign because he wants me maybe to be tougher, he wants me to go through these moments," Baghdatis said. "Crazy. I mean, he broke me once. I broke him. He broke me. I broke him, then I broke him again. It was amazing. The atmosphere was just crazy. Was big emotion for me."

He has already beaten Andy Roddick and Ivan Ljubicic en route to the final and it would be a great way to end the fairytale with a win on Sunday. "I know it's not finished. It's maybe a dream come true for me. So I'll do my best and stay focused," Baghdatis concluded.

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