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Nalbandian: "can do it"

Eurosport
ByEurosport

Published 26/01/2006 at 07:10 GMT

David Nalbandian will look to make his first major final in four years when he takes on Marcos Baghdatis in the Australian Open on Friday. Meanwhile, his Cypriot opponent looks to continue his fantastic that has already seen him dump three seeded players

Eurosport

Image credit: Eurosport

The Argentine fourth seed has already shown great form this year in Melbourne and his demolition of Fabrice Santoro in the last round should provide his semi-final opponent with a stark warning.
Since struggling in his opening match, Nalbandian has looked better and better, and seems to be timing his run to the final perfectly.
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TENNIS 2006 AUSTRALIAN OPEN First round Nalbandian

Image credit: Reuters

"I'm here in Semis and very happy for been able of reaching Semis in all 4 Grand Slams. So, next step is to look for something else, look for the finals. I feel I can do it..."
COMING MAN
Baghdatis has amazed everyone with his run to the semi-final, finally starting to realise the great potential he showed as a junior, becoming world number one, and winning the junior tournament, here in Melbourne, in 2003.
His colourful army of fans light up the atmosphere at every match and are sure to give him a much needed lift after his exhausting five set quarter-final win over Ivan Ljubicic, although this is not without its drawbacks.
"Especially after the match against Andy Roddick," he told Eurosport. "I can't walk in the street, everybody asks for autographs. And I stopped at a traffic light...and it is like, like... like flies coming on you (laughs). It is fun. I mean in the beginning it was fun but at the moment it don't feel so good. So I try not to go out a lot."
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2006 Australian Open Baghdatis Fans

Image credit: Eurosport

Whatever happens, life is sure to grind to a halt in his home country here everyone is justifiably proud of his achievements.
"In Cyprus it is amazing. Everybody is in the street. All my family, parents. They having fun. Everybody today stopped working to see my match (against Ljubicic) or took a TV at work. It is just an amazing day for Cyprus and me and for my family."
For live coverage of David Nalbandian v Marcos Baghdatis click in to eurosport.com from 09:30cet
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