Marcos was beaten by Ernests Gulbis in the first round of the Gerry Weber Open on Tuesday in Halle. In a close-run contest, Gulbis prevailed 6-4, 3-6, 6-3 in one hour and 39 minutes.
The Latvian, who has enjoyed a career resurgence this year, broke in the seventh game of the first set to clinch the opener. But Marcos stayed aggressive in his play and was rewarded midway through the second set, when he broke Gulbis for the first time before going on to level the match.
Marcos had chances early in the third set to take a commanding lead, but was denied on a 0/40 opportunity before then losing his own serve as Gulbis turned the tables. Marcos saved two match points at 15/40 in the eighth game, but Gulbis did not falter when serving for victory.
Afterwards, Marcos was upbeat about the way he played and optimistic looking ahead to his chances at next week’s Topshelf Open in ‘s-Hertogenbosch and then at The Championships in Wimbledon.
“He played well on the break points,” reflected Marcos, who was denied on six of seven break points. “I never had a big chance on them, especially in the third set. He served well. I don’t think I lost the match, he won it. It wasn't like the others have been in previous weeks.
“I had 0/40 in the third set and didn’t take it, then he broke me immediately. That was tough, but I played really well. One or two points make the difference and at the moment I'm losing them. But I believe in myself. I'm feeling great on the court. I'm working hard and I'm improving. It will pay off. I can get very disappointed, but I spoke with my coach and he took the negatives out of my head.
“On grass I can beat anyone,” said Marcos, who reached the Wimbledon semi-finals in 2006 (l. to Nadal). “I'm very confident. I'm very happy with the way I'm working with my new coach. I feel I can beat anyone.
“The ball stays low on grass and I move well on this surface, which not every player does. I have a good serve and return well, with are good things on grass. It suits my game. I don't need to change my game too much on this surface.”
Speaking about how his relationship with new coach, Zeljko Krajan, is developing, Marcos said, “He's very smart. He's an ex-player. I played him a long time ago and beat him actually! He tells me the good things about my game every day. He sees a lot of things that I don't, and it helps me a lot. Every second on the practice court, he's on me, telling me what I can improve. It's a great working relationship.”
Marcos will stay in Halle for a couple more days before travelling to Holland to compete at next week’s Topshelf Open.
Stay tuned for more.
