Marcos lived to fight another day at the 2016 US Open, blasting past 32nd seed Benoit Paire 6-2, 6-4, 3-6, 6-4 on Wednesday. In total, he fired 23 winners including two aces, while converting six of nine break chances.
Marcos is back in the third round of the US Open for the first time in three years. He will next face qualifier and home hope Ryan Harrison with a berth in the Round of 16 on the line. They have previously met twice, with Marcos earning a straight-sets victory in Brisbane in 2012, followed by Harrison prevailing in the final of the 2015 Happy Valley Challenger.
On Wednesday, Marcos got off to a flying start, securing a quick lead with a break in the fifth game and another two games later. After closing out the opener 6-2, he would convert his second break point of the second set to edge ahead 5-4. He would take a commanding two-set lead and despite dropping serve midway through the third set, he broke three times in the fourth and emerged victorious on his first match point.
Marcos, who is bidding to reach the fourth round at a Grand Slam for the first time since the 2009 Australian Open, will face Harrison on Friday. He is also in the doubles draw, partnering with Gilles Muller. They face Dustin Brown and Benoit Paire on Thursday afternoon.
