12/11/2009 11:50 AM
Crowd favourite Marcos Baghdatis has confirmed his intention to play in January's Medibank International Sydney as he seeks a return to the form that carried him to the 2006 Australian Open final.
The Cypriot, currently ranked 45 in the world, joins Lleyton Hewitt, Gael Monfils, Tomas Berdych and Stanislas Wawrinka in the men's draw, while Samantha Stosur, Caroline Wozniacki, Elena Dementieva and world No.1 Serena Williams headline the women's field.
"I am very pleased to be competing again in the Medibank International Sydney. It is a wonderful city and one of my favourite places to visit," Baghdatis said.
"I hope to do well in Sydney. The crowd was great and supported me when I played there a few years ago and I am looking forward to returning."
The 24-year-old has been plagued by injuries since his surprise run to the final at Melbourne Park nearly four years ago where he beat top-10 players Andy Roddick, Ivan Ljubicic and David Nalbandian along the way.
Baghdatis also reached the semi-finals at Wimbledon, won his first ATP World Tour title in Beijing and finished with a ranking of No.12 that year.
He reached the fourth round of the Australian Open earlier this year before capturing his third career title in Stockholm last month, defeating former world No.1 Juan Carlos Ferrero and French Open finalist Robin Soderling.
He also won Challenger events this year in Vancouver, St Remy and Tashkent.
Baghdatis previously played at the Medibank International Sydney in 2007, where he lost in the quarter-finals.
Medibank International Sydney tournament director Craig Watson said Baghdatis was a welcome addition to the field.
"Marcos is one of the most enigmatic and entertaining players on the ATP World Tour and we can't wait for him to return to the Sydney Olympic Park Tennis Centre next January," Watson said.
"He has had a tough couple of years with injuries but is definitely on his way back to the form he displayed at the Australian Open in 2006. I know all the sports fans in Sydney will be thrilled to see him back at the event."
The Medibank International Sydney will be held at Sydney Olympic Park Tennis Centre from January 10-16.