The Australian Open finalist upped the tempo in the second set to roll past the fourth-seeded Ancic, who was playing in his first tournament since a two-month layoff due to injury.

After making the quarter-finals at Wimbledon this year, Ancic hurt his back and knee in a yachting accident. The China Open was his fourth final appearance this season.

Baghdatis, who also reached this year's Wimbledon semifinals, beat Ancic for the first time in three matches this year. The Cypriot is now 1-3 against Ancic in his career.

Also Sunday, Australian Open and Wimbledon champion Amelie Mauresmo was named the top-seeded player for the WTA's China Open, which starts Monday. Svetlana Kuznetsova, the 2004 U.S. Open champion, was seeded second.