Marcos declared he would be ready for the Australian Open to start tomorrow after a satisfying start to the season. Following his semi-final effort at the Brisbane International last week, Marcos is competing in the AAMI Classic, an exhibition tournament in Kooyong, and on Wednesday defeated World No. 9 Janko Tipsarevic.
Marcos had been leading 6-1, 1-0 when Tipsarevic decided to withdraw to protect an elbow injury, but Marcos will have the chance for more Top 10 match practice when he faces No. 7-ranked Juan Martin del Potro on Friday.
“It’s important [to test youself], especially in Melbourne, close to the Open, where you can practise also onsite before the match and get your routines going,” said Marcos. “I think it's a great tournament because of that. I’m looking forward to playing delPo and testing my level before the Grand Slam.
“I do try and work on things [the week before a major], but I don’t think I have too many things to work on. I’m just trying to keep the way I’m playing and the rhythm and that’s what I’m trying to do at Kooyong. It is a bit more relaxed in an exhibition, but still you want to keep the rhythm of the matches and keep the stress going; it gives you more adrenaline. I don’t want to lose the rhythm.”
Marcos was a finalist at the Australian Open in 2006, finishing runner-up to Roger Federer. With the strong finish he had to 2012 and his good form last week in Brisbane, he is hopeful of another strong run at Melbourne Park.
“I think I’m ready to play even tomorrow,” he said. “I’m very happy with the way I’m playing. I’ve improved a lot the past 6-7 months: the way I move, the way I play with the forehand, more aggressive, serving much better, returning. Basically everything is getting much, much better.
“I want to play good in Australia, get to the second week, that’s my objective,” continued Marcos. “The most important thing is to continue playing the way I am and keep the consistency. It's not only one tournament in the year. I want to keep it going all year.”
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Go, Marcos!
