Photo: Mike Baz
In very warm and blustery conditions in Washington D.C., on Friday afternoon, Marcos recorded his second Top 10 win of the season as he ousted World No. 10 Fernando Verdasco 7-6(3), 6-4 to reach the semi-finals of the Legg Mason Tennis Classic, an ATP World Tour 500 hard-court tournament.
Such were the conditions, neither player was able to produce his best tennis in a match riddled with unforced errors, double faults and service breaks. However, Marcos was able to raise his level in the key moments to defeat the third-seeded Spaniard in one hour and 42 minutes.
Marcos squandered a break advantage in the first set before prevailing in the eventual tie-break, capitalising on three double faults from Verdasco as he sealed it 7-3. Marcos then looked to have the upper hand in the second set as he broke Verdasco to love to lead 2-1, having recovered from a 0/40 deficit himself in the previous game.
The left-handed Verdasco began to find his range, though, and quickly turned the set on its head, reeling off three straight games to establish a 4-2 lead. However, Marcos responded well. He raised his own level and capitalised on poor errors from Verdasco to immediately recoup the service break, before breaking the 26 year old’s serve again in the following game to open up a 5-4 lead.
Marcos then closed out the match on his second match point, finishing with an excellent angled backhand volley.
“Everything was [a factor],” explained Marcos. “It was tough conditions because playing at night is not the same because of the humidity and the balls are heavier. Playing outside and not in a stadium is a bit different also. Today I felt like the balls were flying a bit so I couldn’t control them very well. I’m happy I won the match. I found a solution to win and that’s very positive.
“I made the play and I didn’t stop hitting the ball back and guarding at the end and I think that is what paid off and that was the key.”
For a place in the final Marcos will face Belgian Xavier Malisse, who upset top seed and World No. 8 Tomas Berdych in the first quarter-final of the day. Both players have come a long way in the past 12 months, having faced each other in the Vancouver Challenger final one year ago as they both fought to climb back up the South African Airways ATP Rankings. Marcos also won when they met in the final of the St. Remy Challenger last year.
“I played him twice last year in two challenges and I beat him twice. I watched today’s match and he is not missing a lot and he is playing aggressive,” assessed Marcos. “I’m not going to think about winning the finals now; I want to focus on beating Xavier tomorrow. If it comes I will for sure take it, but right now I want to focus on my next challenge.”
The match will take place first on Stadium on Saturday, beginning at 1pm local time (6pm UK, 8pm Cyprus). Check out the full order of play here.
Watch live online at TennisTV.com (territory restrictions apply).
Unfortunately there will be no more doubles action for Marcos, as he and Stan Wawrinka bowed out in the quarter-finals 6-3, 7-6(6) against fourth seeds Julian Knowle and Andy Ram.
Stay tuned to www.baghdatis.com for all the latest news and photos from Washington.
Go, Marcos!
