Our Champion Marcos Baghdatis faced an unfortunate retirement against the big server and tournament's no. 1 seed, Ivo Karlovic of Croatia, in the first round of the "Open de Moselle - Metz" tournament in France. Baghdatis who was leading 6-4 in the first set after playing some excellent tennis, suffered severe back pains at the 4th game of the second set being 2-1 down, and had to retire after the physio was called on court.
Our Champion in an interview after the match elaborated on his bad luck during the year, describing it as a "dark season" for his tennis. "...my back was blocked and I suffered a severe spasm...I will wait till tomorrow and see what the results of the MRI will show...it is a pity for me since I started playing very well during the first set against Karlovic...I am not well aware if I will be able to play till the end of the season..." Baghdatis stated on his way out of the court.