Baghdatis ends title wait with Aegon Trophy win

 

Originally published on 08/06/14

The former world No.8, who had not played in a tournament since early April due to injury, beat Marinko Matosevic 6-3 6-3 in the final. He did not drop a set on his way to a morale-boosting victory, overcoming Igor Sijsling, Kenny De Schepper, Benjamin Becker and Denis Kudla.

“After these wins I've kind of found myself, my game, my attitude on court and the way I want to play tennis," said Baghdatis. "It feels great to win the tournament. I feel that I've played really well throughout the week. Every match I got through I felt better and better, and in the final I just playing really solid, not giving too many points away and served well. I'm happy with how I'm playing and how I feel on court, fitness-wise and mentally."

The 2006 Australian Open runner-up’s last singles win was in Sydney in early 2010. But he broke Matosevic – who had only completed his semi-final against Gilles Muller an hour before the start of the final – in the seventh game of both sets to seal victory in one hour an 15 minutes.

"I've been working hard for so many years, and maybe there are things I didn't do right. Lately I have been working smarter and that has paid off," said Baghdatis. "I'm not actually surprised, I think that is where I belong – winning tournaments. "For me it is a massive relief to see my body get through five matches, I've been struggling a lot lately with health problems and injuries."

Kristyna Pliskova won the women's singles title with a 6-2 3-6 6-3 win over Zarina Diyas.

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