Photo: Tashkent Challenger
Marcos captured his third ATP Challenger Tour title of the season after battling past second seed and home favourite Denis Istomin 6-3, 1-6, 6-3 in the final of the $125,000 Tashkent Challenger on Sunday.
In a dominant display by Marcos in the first set, he created eight break point chances and was able to convert one of them to take a one-set lead against Istomin. The No. 101-ranked Istomin, who reached the US Open third round, hit back in the second set, though, to break Marcos’ serve three times and level the match.
However, Marcos recovered well in the third set and was able to capitalise on the one break point opportunity he earned to go on and seal victory after 90 minutes.
“In the first set I played well and I was concentrating, and Denis made mistakes," said Marcos. "In the second set, Denis played a quick set and I lost concentration. In the third set I played better, regained my concentration again and I’m happy I won the match.
"I am already getting ready for my next match in Stockholm; tennis is a sport where you shouldn’t relax,” he added
Marcos said in his interview with the Tashkent media team yesterday that his aim is to finish the 2009 season inside the Top 70 of the South African Airways 2009 ATP Rankings and his position will be further boosted by the title this week.
He has already risen to No. 87 from a low of No. 151 on 6 July courtesy of two ATP Challenger Tour titles at Vancouver and St. Remy.
More valuable points will be available for Marcos next week, when he competes at the If Stockholm Open, an ATP World Tour 250 tournament. He will be up against third seed Juan Carlos Ferrero in the first round.
Stay tuned to www.baghdatis.com for more news and reaction from Marcos’ win in Tashkent, plus a look ahead to his campaign in Stockholm next week.
Go, Marcos!
