Cyprus star Baghdatis sets up final against Roddick in Kooyong

MELBOURNE (Reuters) – Marcos Baghdatis set up a final against Andy Roddick at the Kooyong Classic with a 6-2 7-5 win over Chilean Fernando Gonzalez on Friday, declaring himself ready for a good run at next week’s Australian Open.

The Cypriot, who reached the final at Melbourne Park two years ago, coped admirably with a gusting wind at Kooyong as he tamed the big-hitting Gonzalez, who was runner-up to Roger Federer 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.”

After his superb run to the final in Melbourne in 2006, Baghdatis reached the top 10 but struggled last year, before ending the season with a semi-final showing in the final Masters Series event of the year, in Paris.

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 Cypriot 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.”