Marcos will get his 2009 ATP World Tour campaign up and running on Monday at the Brisbane International, when he faces Finn Jarkko Nieminen in the first round.
Head-to-Head
Marcos has a 2-2 head-to-head record against Nieminen. This will be their first clash since Basel in 2007, when Nieminen defeated Marcos in the semifinals.
Check out their head-to-head details
Getting to know...Jarkko Nieminen
World No. 41 Nieminen was the runner-up to Michael Llodra at the Adelaide International last year, before the tournament moved for its inaugural event at Brisbane.
The 27 year old reached a career-high ATP ranking of No. 13 on July 10, 2006. He won his lone ATP title in Auckland '06 and has finished runner-up at seven further events. Last season the left-hander went on to reach the Australian Open quarterfinals after his success in Adelaide and, later in the season, was a semifinalist at Stockholm.
Read more about Nieminen at his player profile on the ATP World Tour web site.
Marcos' Thoughts
Marcos has been practising on Pat Rafter Arena at the new Queensland Tennis Centre since arriving Down Under last week and was feeling excited about being back on court when he spoke to journalists last week:
"I'm pretty happy I'm here, so I'll try to win some matches, and why not to win the tournament. That's my goal."
When and Where
The match takes place second on Pat Rafter Arena on Monday, following a WTA match that begins at 10:30am local time (12:30am GMT, 1:30am CET).
Check this link for the Brisbane TV schedule.
If you live in Europe or the USA and can stay up through the night with coffee for this one, live scores are available here.
If you live close by, check out how to buy tickets here.
Go, Marcos!
