Photo: Ron C. Angle
Marcos got off to the best possible start at the Ordina Open by ousting Spanish No. 2 seed Tommy Robredo 7-5, 6-2 in ‘s-Hertogenbosch on Tuesday.
Marcos made his first move in the seventh game of the first set, capitalising on his second break point of the game to lead 4-3 as Robredo double faulted. Marcos was pegged back by Robredo when he served for the set at 5-4, some nervous errors proving costly as the Spaniard levelled for 5-5.
Undeterred, Marcos took advantage of a loose service game from Robredo and earned a second break of serve as the Spaniard hit a forehand long. At the second time of asking, Marcos did not falter in serving out the set. From 0/30 down he won four straight points, courtesy of some fine serving, and sealed the first set as Robredo miscued a backhand.
Marcos had an early chance to break in the second set and was frustrated to squander his opportunity as he netted a forehand drop shot attempt. However, he quickly rebounded to earn two more break points in the third game and gained a 2-1 lead when his rifling forehand skidded off the line and forced an error from Robredo.
Aggressive and more confident play from Marcos was rewarded in the fifth game as he gained a second break of serve to lead 4-1 and he comfortably served out victory at 5-2, with three fine serves in succession to finish it after 77 minutes of play.
“It was tough but I played very good today,” said Marcos in his on-court interview. “I was a little bit stressed at the beginning, I’m not in the best shape of my life and it’s a tough moment in my career.
“I’m fighting every day to come back and this is a big victory for me.”
Marcos next will face Dutch wild card Raemon Sluiter for a place in the quarter-finals. Stay tuned for more details on that match.
Go, Marcos!
