Marcos’ good run in Sydney came to an end at the hands of Frenchman Julien Benneteau, who played a high level of tennis to advance with a 6-4, 6-4 victory on Friday in the semi-finals.
Marcos fought back from a 1-4 double break deficit in the first set, but the scoreline parity was shortlived as Benneteau broke again in the ninth game and served out the first set.
The Frenchman broke decisively in the fifth game of the second set, and closed out the match in an epic service game, which saw Marcos denied on three break point chances before Benneteau converted his sixth match point opportunity after one hour and 56 minutes.
"Benneteau played very well today," reflected Marcos. “He was really feeling the ball very well. I was a bit tight again. I wasn't so aggressive. I tried, but my shots were not heavy enough. He played very, very smart, very aggressive, was serving very well. I had my chances. I didn't take them; he did.
"I lost 6-4, 6-4, but it was very close match. Could have gone either way. But it's a positive week for me here. I had so much fun here and played four good matches. I'm pretty happy."
Marcos will now head to Melbourne for the Australian Open, which begins on Monday. The draw was made on Friday and Marcos will face Germany’s Benjamin Becker in the first round of the Grand Slam tournament that he reached the final of in 2006.
Check out the full Australian Open draw here.
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