LIMASSOL - The Cyprus national tennis team got a welcome boost ahead of its 2012 Davis Cup tie against Morocco following the return of tennis star Marcos Baghdatis. Cyprus will host the Moroccans in the Europe/Africa Zone Group II first round on Friday, Saturday and Sunday at the Spyros Kyprianou Arena in Limassol seeking three victories over five games which will ensure them of a place in the next round against either Ukraine or Monaco in early April.

The island’s hopes of qualifying have been rejuvenated by the return of Baghdatis who two years ago stated his intention to drop out of the Davis Cup team to focus primarily on his solo career.

Since then, his form has improved and he is currently 41 in the ATP rankings despite suffering an early exit from the Australian Open last month. This month, he reached the semifinals of the Zagreb Indoors Open and won the doubles event after teaming up with Russia’s Mikhail Youzhny.
“I am delighted and proud to be part of the national team once again”, he told reporters this week. “I will give my utmost on the court so as to help our nation qualify into the next phase.”

He added, “I am in really good shape at the moment and have started off the season well. I call on everyone to come to the stadium and make their presence felt in a bid to help us get through to the next round.”
Team captain Yiannos Hadjigeorgiou was also buoyed by the return of Baghdatis who will team up with Raresh Cuzdriorean, Christos Hadjigeorgiou – who will be making his Davis Cup debut and Sergis Kyratzis in the new look Cyprus line-up.
“The fact that Marcos has linked up with us fills us with hope but we remain grounded and our target remains to secure the three wins which will be enough to see us through. The Davis Cup has many obstacles and surprises so we will be taking ever encounter very seriously.”
The decider in the round of games is expected to be in the doubles event with Baghdatis expected to steamroll his opponents in the singles events whilst the Moroccans, who according to captain El Aarej Mounir are missing key players, are likewise expected to find a way past the less-experienced Cuzdriorean, Hadjigeorgiou or Kyratzis.
Their top player is Anas Fattar who is currently ranked 769 in the world and he believes that it will be Cyprus who will be under pressure going into the round of games in Limassol.
“We are under no added pressure and, in fact, the pressure is on Cyprus. We expect the games against Marcos Baghdatis to be the deciding ones.”