Argentina’s David Nalbandian became the first player ranked outside the top 100 to win an ATP title in 2010, using his typically strong service returns and effective baseline game to overcome our Champion, No. 25 Marcos Baghdatis 6-2, 7-6 (4) on Sunday in a Legg Mason final between two past Grand Slam finalists. It was Nalbandian’s 11th career title, but his first on U.S. soil, and first anywhere in 1 1/2 years.
Our Champion who played very solid in the tournament throughout this week, defeating Xavier Malisse in the semis with the same score, had some trouble holding serve from the beginning of the set and with Nalbadian, breaking four out of the first seven games Baghdatis was serving. Our Champion, coming out on court with a twisted left ankle from his semis match and suffering pain was under continuous pressure, with Nalbadian putting a lot of pressure on the return.
Baghdatis had a chance to extend the match while leading 6-5 in the second set. He held a set point at 30-40 on Nalbandian’s serve, but put a forehand into the net on a 10-stroke exchange. Nalbandian eventually held serve there, then surged to a 5-0 lead in the tiebreaker to win the match.
Both players congratulated each other after the match, noting the fact that both have been absent for a long time from the tour, exhibiting strong courage to overcome injuries and climb back up to the top. The crowd proudly applaused the two Champions throughout the awards ceremony.
Our Champion's impressive appearance in the tournament has set up the pace for a successful Olympus US Open Series tour, continuing in Toronto this week. Baghdatis enters the series with boosted confidence and looks forward to all the events leading to the US Open towards the end of the month.