Marcos Baghdatis reached the quarter-finals of Wimbledon for the second year running on Thursday, beating Russian grinder Nikolay Davydenko 7-6 7-6 6-3.
The Cypriot was roared on by a noisy bunch of fans out on Court 13 and the 10th seed obliged with some swashbuckling tennis when it mattered in the delayed fourth-round clash.
Baghdatis came from 5-3 down in the first set tiebreak to get on top and he again showed the greater adventure to get through the second set tiebreak.
Sixth seed Davydenko, one of the most durable players on the circuit, has enjoyed his best run at Wimbledon after reaching the semis at the French but, try as he might, he could find no way back after dropping his serve early in the third.
Baghdatis set up a match point at 5-3 when he won a rally despite slipping over during the point. Davydenko saved that with a volley but Baghdatis made no mistake on his second opportunity, belting away a backhand winner.
"It was tough out there," Baghdatis told reporters. "He gets all the balls back but I just tried to put it in the court more than him, that's why I won."
Baghdatis, who plays Serbian fourth seed Novak Djokovic next, thanked the fans who turned out to support him on a blustery day at Wimbledon. "They motivate me and give me energy," he said.
{{/usCountry}}Baghdatis, who plays Serbian fourth seed Novak Djokovic next, thanked the fans who turned out to support him on a blustery day at Wimbledon. "They motivate me and give me energy," he said.
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