5 reasons why Marcos Baghdatis has been such a big success at the CTL

The fiery Cypriot Marcos Baghdatis had his heyday in the mid-2000s, and there’s never been any doubt about his talent. In 2006, he broke into the top 10 to reach his highest-ever singles ranking of 8th, managing to reach the finals of the Australian Open that year.Entering unseeded, he blazed his way to the finals, going down eventually to then-World No. 1 Roger Federer, who defeated him from a set down.Playing for the Punjab Marshalls at the Champions Tennis League this year, Baghdatis has shown the temperament and skill that made him one of the best players in the world. This, of course, is the second successive season that Baghdatis has proven to be unstoppable; he took the Pune Marathas all the way to the title in the league’s inaugural 2014 season.Here are 5 reasons why he’s such a great player, and such a huge success in the CTL:

#1 His fiery nature

Baghdatis is known for being a character on-court and off it. Extremely passionate about his game, the 30-year-old channels that passion into his shots, often playing aggressive tennis against opponents higher-ranked than himself.

Facing Roger Federer a number of times in his career (including when the Swiss was World No. 1), he’s even managed to force him to drop a set despite eventually winning.

At the 2008 Australian Open, playing an in-form Stan Wawrinka, the angry Baghdatis unleashed his fury and frustration on four rackets as he struggled against the Swiss.

The Cypriot has used his passion to fuel his game at the CTL, and has been a source of inspiration for all of his teammates with his fiery spirit.

#2 He\'s a #1 slayer

It’s not just Roger Federer Baghdatis has seriously tested. Although he was not world no. 1 at the time, Novak Djokovic was in 2011 well on his way to that not-so-distant goal. Baghdatis, facing the cool, collected and humorous Serb at the Wimbledon that year, tested Djokovic’s skill – and his patience!

The Cypriot managed to get the Serbian screaming as he repeatedly lost his cool. The generally smiling Djokovic was seen hitting the ground repeatedly with his racket as Baghdatis hit the ball across court for all he was worth.

Djokovic would eventually win the match – and the title – but he had been seriously tested. And the knowledge that he can match the best of the best has translated into his performances at the CTL.

Baghdatis has shown tremendous fighting spirit to stretch every single one of his opponents to the limit, and that has reaped huge rewards for him.

#3 The crowd loves him

And Baghdatis loves the crowd right back! At several tournaments, even though he has not been the home player, or the favourite to win, and has sometimes even been unseeded, Baghdatis has pleased the crowd with his antics and aggressive strokeplay.

At Wimbledon in 2011, crowds cheered each and every point Baghdatis scored against his opponent and current world no. 1 Novak Djokovic, who was eventually so frustrated by the Cypriot that he banged his racquet on court.

Although home ace Andy Murray of Scotland had been the crowd favourite, it was Baghdatis who got a louder, more rousing response from the crowds at Wimbledon that year – far exceeding the response for Murray.

The story has been the same at the CTL. Wherever Baghdatis has gone, he has evoked loud cheers and applause – even from the opposition fans. That in turn has helped him adopt a more positive approach in his game, which has led to positive results.

#4 He\'s \'Upsetting\'

Although he has dropped down the rankings in recent years, Marcos Baghdatis is not out just yet! Beating several players this year much-higher ranked than himself on the ATP World Tour, Baghdatis carried that temperament into the Champions Tennis League as his team, the Punjab Marshalls, took on the Mumbai Tennis Masters on their own turf to open the 2015 edition of the league.

Baghdatis was instrumental in helping his team take a 21-19 victory over the hosts as he dominated Colombia’s Santiago Giraldo, playing the men’s singles and doubles and the mixed doubles to help his team take eventual victory.

#5 He\'s in form across the board

Teammates last year on the Pune Marathas side, Baghdatis and Saketh Myneni performed well at the doubles this year for Punjab

Although Baghdatis has always been knows as a singles specialist, with not as much success in doubles, this year he has found a resurgence in form – and it’s across the board.

With the Punjab Marshalls playing home team Mumbai Tennis Masters as this year’s Champions Tennis League commenced, Baghdatis and the Marshalls looked to be on the brink of defeat, two sets down to their opponents.

Baghdatis himself featured in each one of the remaining three sets and he won the singles, mixed doubles and men's doubles to take his side to an eventual 21-19 victory! He’s a true all-rounder if ever there was one.