Photo: Ron C. Angle
Marcos’ campaign at the Brisbane International came to an end in the second round after a devastating display from Tomas Berdych saw the fourth-seeded Czech win 6-0, 6-1 on Wednesday evening.
An ominous first service game from Berdych saw the Czech player hold to love and he immediately capitalised on a lack of first serves from Marcos to open up a 2-0 lead. Marcos struggled to rein in his unforced errors throughout the set and, in contrast, Berdych was dominant from the baseline and able to dictate the majority of points as he raced away with the 6-0 first set, closing it out with a forehand cross-court winner.
Urged on by the capacity crowd on Pat Rafter Arena, Marcos started the second set strongly and notched his first game of the encounter to draw level at 1-1, benefitting from some much needed first serves.
Unfortunately, Berdych was undeterred in his focus and the World No. 20 quickly raced to a 5-1 lead with a series of potent ground strokes that Marcos could not find the answer to. The 24 year old went on to close out the victory after one hour and five minutes with a fitting, blistering forehand winner to secure his place in the quarter-finals.
Marcos will dust himself down quickly and head to Sydney, where he will compete in the Medibank International next week in his final preparation for the Australian Open.
Stay tuned to www.baghdatis.com for all the latest news on Marcos’ progress Down Under.
