STUART FRASER

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TENNIS
BAKER SKIPS MELBOURNE FOR GLASGOW
Freelance Article
By Stuart Fraser
Wednesday 13^th January 2010

SCOTTISH No.2 Jamie Baker is convinced that skipping the Australian Open for the AEGON Pro-Series in Glasgow this week will set him up for a successful year on tour.

Despite having the chance to compete in qualifying for the first grand slam of 2010 in Melbourne this week, the 23-year-old decided to compete in the third-tier futures event in his home city.

Baker won his first round match yesterday against German Peter Gojowczyk 6-3, 4-6, 6-3 and his decision to miss out on the heat down under for the coolness of the indoor courts at Scotstoun is one that he isn’t regretting.

Baker said: “I always had an inclination I would get into qualifying but to go all the way on that alone is quite difficult because it costs a lot of money and the travelling takes a lot out of you.

“Actually, the first time I went to Australia, I was in a similar position and I was the last man into qualifying with an hour to spare so I didn’t want to take that risk again

“It’s also nice to play at home because I get a little bit of extra time staying in my own bed which I won’t be getting much of this year.”

It’s all part of a plan for the world No.313 who is aiming to climb further up the world rankings and compete regularly on the main tour.

In 2008, Baker was on the cusp of achieving this after qualifying for the Australian Open in January and beating then world No.41 Agustin Calleri in Great Britain’s Davis Cup match away to Argentina in February.

Cruelly though, he contracted the life-threatening blood condition ITP shortly after which was followed by a long spell of recovery and a drop in the world rankings to No.955.

However, Baker has shown true determination and grit to fight his way back up the rankings and has set himself further targets for the year ahead, including a place in the Davis Cup squad for the tie away to Lithuania in March.

He said: “The goal is to play in top level tournaments week in week out and get into a position where I am financially able to have a career and support myself.

“Hopefully, I have a few more good results before the Davis Cup to cement my place in the team and I would be excited to play if that opportunity comes along.”

Despite his decision to skip the Australian Open, Baker will watch with interest and feels that fellow countryman Andy Murray is in with a shot despite his drop in the world rankings to No.5 this week which guarantees him a seeding of fifth.

Baker said: “Andy is always in with a chance.  I don’t think the drop in rankings will affect the way he actually plays.

“It obviously means he could meet Roger Federer or Rafael Nadal in the quarter-finals as opposed to the semis which could make things a little bit harder.

“But he will be more worried about playing as well as he can.”