Sydney, Jan 11: Marcos Baghdatis will take on Andy Roddick at the Kooyong Classic tournament. He defeated Chilean Fernando Gonzalez 6-2, 7-5 on Friday.

Baghdatis had a tough match against big-hitting Gonzalez, who was a finalist at last year's Australian Open. "I'm ready, I guess," Baghdatis told reporters. "I'm starting to feel better and better, to move better and better on the court. Tennis-wise it's getting better, serving better, so good."
Bagdatis who stormed in to the Melbourne final in 2006, was able to reach among the top ten in 2007. He ended up last season with a semi-final showing in the final in the Masters Series event.
The 22-year-old is seeded 15th for next week's Australian Open but has a tough draw, with former world number ones Marat Safin and Lleyton Hewitt potential opponents in the second and third rounds.

Baghdatis said he had not seen his draw, but believes he was capable of another strong showing.

"I think I have the game to beat anybody," he said.

"I don't want to have a big head, but I think I have, so I'll just try to go on the court and find a solution to win."

Roddick has won two of his three matches against Baghdatis but the Cyrpiot beat him at the Australian Open on the way to the final in 2006 and said he would be doing everything to win the title, despite the eight-man event only being an exhibition.

"I will go on the court and try to win it, 100 percent," he said.

"I won't think about the Aussie Open until after the match."

Former world number one Roddick beat Marat Safin 6-3, 6-3 to reach the final.


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