Photo: Ron C. Angle
Marcos’ campaign at the BNP Paribas Open came to an end at the hands of Spanish No. 18 seed Tommy Robredo in a tight finish on Stadium 2 on Wednesday evening. Robredo recovered from a bagel second set to fight back and prevail 7-5, 0-6, 6-4 in two hours and 18 minutes to secure his place in the quarter-finals.
Robredo edged a close first set with just one break of serve, saving both break points he faced, before Marcos swiftly levelled the match with a devastating second set bagel against the Spaniard.
However, missed opportunities proved costly for Marcos in the deciding set as he was denied on eight break point chances. In contrast, Robredo was able to make good on the first chance he created in the seventh game, dragging Marcos wide with an angled backhand to force the error and earn a 4-3 lead.
Marcos saved two match points with brave and aggressive place in the 10th game, but he could not find a way through the Spaniard’s stubborn defences in the final game. He was denied on one final break point courtesy of a rifling forehand from Robredo before his opponent closed out victory at the fourth time of asking with his sixth ace of the match.
Defeat brought to an end a memorable run for Marcos in Indian Wells, highlighted by his first victory in seven meetings with World No. 1 Roger Federer in a thrilling encounter on Tuesday evening. He will now head to Miami for the Sony Ericsson Open, which begins on 24th March.
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Good effort, Marcos!
