Cyprus feasts Baghdatis' semifinal victory at Australian Open

Jubilant crowds rang church bells and fired shots in the air Thursday after Marcos Baghdatis advanced to the Australian Open final. The unseeded Greek Cypriot upset fourth-seeded David Nalbandian of Argentina 3-6, 5-7, 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 in Melbourne, and relatives at the family's home in Paramytha, near Limassol, were overcome with joy.

"I am very happy. I thank Marcos, I thank the people for their support," his father, Christos, told Cyprus state radio. "Marcos fought hard for this; for seven years he fought to reach this result."

In Nicosia and Limassol, hundreds of people sounded car horns and waved Greek and Cypriot flags.

Although born and raised in Cyprus, Baghdatis currently trains in France, reports the AP.

D.M.