Baghdatis stuns Nalbandian to reach final

Unheralded Cypriot Marcos Baghdatis advanced to the Australian Open final on Thursday with a stunning five-set victory against Argentina’s David Nalbandian.

Baghdatis, ranked 54 in the world and the conqueror of second seed Andy Roddick and seventh seed Ivan Ljubicic in previous rounds in Melbourne, won 3-6 5-7 6-3 6-4 6-4.

A dramatic night on the Rod Laver Arena had intensified when the match was halted with Baghdatis serving for the match due to a heavy shower.