In a testing first-round clash at the Mutua Madrid Open on Monday, Marcos battled past Colombian qualifier Alejandro Falla 6-3, 3-6, 7-6(5) in two hours and 34 minutes.
After the first two sets were split, Marcos squandered an early break advantage at the start of the third set, but was not discouraged and held his nerve to close out victory in the tie-break. It was his eighth victory of the season.
His reward? The chance to be the one to snap World No. 1 and defending champion Rafael Nadal’s 34-match winning streak on clay. The pair will meet in the second round of the ATP World Tour Masters 1000 clay-court tournament in what will be their first meeting since Marcos defeated the Spaniard in the 2010 Cincinnati quarter-finals.
Stay tuned to www.baghdatis.com for all the latest news on Marcos’ progress in Madrid.
Go, Marcos!
