Marcos overcame a tough test to reach the second round of the Australian Open on Monday, battling past Teymuraz Gabashvili 6-2, 6-7(5), 3-6, 6-4, 6-4 in three hours and 37 minutes.
Marcos struck 29 aces and created 23 break points, converting seven as he finished strongly to claim victory. He hit 58 winners and committed 20 unforced errors less than the No. 67-ranked Gabashvili.
Marcos advances to a tricky second-round meeting with the in-form David Goffin, who defeated Michael Russell in four sets. Marcos won the pair’s one previous meeting, two years ago in Stockholm, but Goffin is now up to No. 22 in the Emirates ATP Rankings after being named the ATP’s Comeback Player of the Year in 2014.
