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Baghdatis faces Berdych in Capital
ABU DHABI - It will be love-all and play as the world tennis season gets rolling in the capital with the Mubadala World Tennis Championship.
The official draw was made at the Abu Dhabi International Tennis Complex on Thursday which might see potential semifinal match-ups between World No.1 Spain’s Rafael Nadal and Cypriot Marcos Baghdatis or Tomas Berdych and all-time men’s Grand Slam singles titles leader Roger Federer taking on Swede Robin Soderling or Frenchman Jo-Wilfred Tsonga.
Day One action gets going with World No.20 Baghdatis locking horns against World No.6 and 2010 Wimbledon finalist Tomas Berdych, while World No.5 and 2010 French Open finalist Robin Soderling meets World No.13 Jo-Wilfred Tsonga.
“Considering every player has starred in or won at least one Grand Slam final, the line-up in Abu Dhabi for the Mubadala World Tennis Championship is fitting of the final stages of any Grand Slam tournament. Each player is a fearless competitor and genuine title contender, capable of defeating whoever they are drawn against which sets up for some epic encounters.
“Once again the atmosphere in the stadium will be electric as the players and fans enjoy more stunning performances and unforgettable moments on centre court for the start of the global tennis season. For tennis fans, sports fans and families wanting a great day out the championship cannot be missed,” John Lickrish, Managing Director of tournament organiser FLASH Entertainment said at the draw on Thursday. The Championship was earlier known as the Capitala World Tennis Championship and Mubadala, the strategic investment and development company has come in as the new title sponsor for the event which runs from December 30 to January 1, 2011. The Championship will be held at the Abu Dhabi International Tennis Complex at the Zayed Sports City.
Having shared two victories each in their previous four meetings, Baghdatis and Berdych will fancy their chances and the prospect of a clash with Nadal.
The infectious Baghdatis has returned to fitness and form in 2010 with victories over Federer and Nadal before a shoulder injury brought a premature end to his season. Baghdatis had defeated Nadal in the ATP World Tour Masters 1000 Cincinnati in August. It was his only win in seven matches against Nadal.
Czech Berdych reached the semifinal of Roland Garros and defeated six-time champion Roger Federer and World No.3 Novak Djorkovic in back to back matches en route to the final of Wimbledon. A win for Berdych will set up a re-match and the chance to avenge this year’s Wimbledon final defeat in three sets to Nadal. Meanwhile Soderling will hope to carry his form which saw him win the ATP World Tour Masters 1000 title in Paris.
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