Marcos Baghdatis of Cyprus won the battle of former runners-up by beating Rainer Schuettler 6-4, 2-6, 6-3, 6-2 in the Australian Open first round.
Baghdatis, the 11th seed who lost to Roger Federer in last year's final, wore down his German opponent, who was suffering from flu and had to call a medical time out in the third set.
"I didn't feel good today and it was not a good match but I am just happy to get through," Baghdatis told a news conference.
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