Marcos was beaten in the second round of the PBZ Zagreb Indoors on Thursday, falling to Slovenia’s Blaz Kavcic 3-6, 7-6(2), 6-4. Marcos had served for the match at 6-3, 5-4, but admitted unforced errors proved costly as he failed to convert his opportunity. Kavcic fought back strongly to claim victory in two hours and eight minutes.
“I think I was under control at 6-3, 5-4 serving for the match, but I made some unforced errors there and lost a bit of concentration,” Marcos said. “I didn’t play well in the tie-break. In the third set, I got a bit tight and started not being very aggressive, not hitting the ball the same way.”
Marcos explained that a block of tough physical training had left him heavy-legged this week, but is confident the work will pay off the upcoming ATP World Tour 500 tournaments in Rotterdam and Dubai, then the Masters 1000s in Indian Wells and Miami.
“It’s not easy, especially now when I’m training very hard physically. I’ve been training between matches and feeling a bit tired. I wanted to play very well and I’m a bit frustrated this week. I’ve been working hard and feeling tired, that came in today. I tried to fight.
“For sure the routine will change now,” continued Marcos. “This week was preparation for the upcoming tournaments, that's where I want to have my peak. That’s how we wanted to work, so it’s been a tough week physically. This week I’ve been continuing the work and I felt a bit heavy on the court and not too fresh. I took the decision to make this week preparation and get a couple of matches under my belt. I’m ready to last physically now through to Miami.”
Marcos withdrew from the doubles with Mikhail Youzhny, having felt pain in his foot and big toe, and decided to rest and recover in time for the ABN AMRO World Tennis Tournament, which begins on Monday in Rotterdam. Tomorrow, Marcos will relax and enjoy family time with his wife, Karolina, and baby girl, Zahara, before travelling to The Netherlands on Saturday.
Stay tuned to www.baghdatis.com for updates.
