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Jo-Wilfried Tsonga vs Marcos Baghdatis: Australian Open live scores

Roar Guru
18th January, 2016
Time: 8:30pm (AEDT) (estimated)
Venue: Margaret Court Arena
History: Tsonga 5, Baghdatis 0
Last meeting: Tsonga 4-6, 7-6, 7-5 – Miami Masters 2014
TV: Live Channel 7, 7two, 7mate, FoxSports
Betting: Tsonga $1.08, Baghdatis $6.50
Jo-Wilfried Tsonga. (Photo: Wiki Commons)
Roar Guru
18th January, 2016
0
2761 Reads

Two of the most entertaining players on the ATP tour clash tonight as Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Marcos Baghdatis go head-to-head in the Australian Open first round. Join The Roar for live scores from 8:30pm (AEDT).

It’s not often you see two former Australian Open finalists clash in the opening round of a major but that is exactly what’s occurred at this year’s tournament.

Tsonga, the finalist in 2008 squares off against 2006 Australian Open runner-up Baghdatis in a match that could end up being a see-sawing affair between two players who love to entertain fans with their flamboyant play.

Baghdatis will have to defy history if his to progress to the second round here. Tsonga owns a perfect 5-0 winning record against the Cypriot, with his last win coming in the Miami Masters 1000 tournament back in 2014.

While Baghdatis has won sets against Tsonga, the Cypriot has found it difficult to match the Frenchman’s power play, with his serve and forehand combination particularly lethal.

And unlike Baghdatis, who remains just inside the top 50, Tsonga has remained very consistent on the ATP tour and currently occupies 10th spot on the ATP rankings.

Despite reaching the 2006 Australian Open final, Baghdatis hasn’t been able to replicate the sort of form responsible for allowing him to reach his lone grand slam decider.

On his day, Baghdatis’ aggressive and flamboyant style can cause trouble against the very best players on tour but consistency has always been a problem for the Cypriot.

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Tsonga meanwhile is still matching it with the very best players on tour, making the semi-finals and quarterfinals of the French Open and US Open last season.

Throw in a runners-up medal at the 2015 Shanghai Masters and it’s easy to understand why Tsonga starts a warm favourite against Baghdatis.

While it’s possible for Baghdatis to nab a set or two, Tsonga should still prevail in an entertaining contest.

Tsonga to win in four sets.

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