Photo: Frey
Marcos is the champion of the Medibank International Sydney after defeating his friend Richard Gasquet of France 6-4, 7-6(2) in Saturday’s rain-delayed final Down Under.
Afterwards, it was announced that Marcos would donate $5,000 of his $67,260 winner’s cheque to the World Vision Australia Haiti Earthquake Appeal.
Marcos said: "The situation in Haiti is really, really sad. I have seen the pictures on the news and it is it just horrific. I want to send my condolences to everyone affected by the earthquake. "
Victory will not only give Marcos a boost in confidence ahead of the Australian Open, which begins in Melbourne on Monday, but will also further improve his position in the South African Airways 2010 ATP Rankings as he received 250 points.
“It's confidence building up,” affirmed Marcos. “I felt pretty good on court. I have some things to work on still. I have tomorrow and Monday to work on my first serve percentage. I think that's all. It's the only thing that worries me a bit.
“[When you have] just won a tournament; your confidence is up; feeling pretty fit; two matches, three sets; playing good; moving good; feeling fit. So I think everything is positive.
“I felt great. It's my brother's birthday, and I wanted to win for him also. It's been two years tough for him. He had some problems. So I'm very happy that I won today and can dedicate this win to him. It's great,” Marcos added.
Appearing in his eighth tour-level final, Marcos received rapturous support from his many fans inside the Ken Rosewall Arena and started the match in fine form. Capitalising on early nerves for Gasquet, Marcos broke serve in the opening game as the Frenchman’s famed single-handed backhand broke down and drifted high and long.
In contrast to Gasquet’s nervous play, Marcos came out firing and dictated play with his aggressive tactics as he raced to a 3-1 lead. As Gasquet settled into the match, Marcos began to face more pressure on serve and was forced to save a break point in the sixth game. However, despite Gasquet’s ever-improving level, Marcos was more than equal to the task and three big first serves helped him serve out the first set 6-4.
Just two points into the second set, the match was subjected to a lengthy delay due to a rare rain shower in Sydney. When play resumed at 9:55pm local time, Gasquet came out with the clear intention of taking the game to Marcos and, letting rip on his backhand, the Frenchman engineered a break of serve to lead 3-1.
Gasquet was solid on serve in the ensuing games, denying Marcos any real opportunity to strike back until the ninth game, when the Frenchman attempted to serve for the second set. Two fabulous points from Marcos, including a forehand pass on the run and a backhand lob, helped earn him a 0-40 advantage and he converted his second break point opportunity as a snappy return forced the error from Gasquet, allowing Marcos back into contention at 5-4.
Neither player was able to break through in the remaining two service games, although Marcos found his first serve when he needed it to fight back from 0-30 in the 12th game, and the set went to a tie-break.
Gasquet made the stronger start to the tie-break, showing off the full range of his delightful backhand with a cross-court winner to lead 2-0. He was not to win another point, though. Nerves affected the Frenchman as he double faulted twice to grant Marcos a 3-2 lead and, from there, Marcos was in control. He forced a forehand error from Gasquet to earn four match points and sealed victory as the Beziers native placed a forehand wide after one hour and 43 minutes.
Victory marked Marcos’ fourth ATP World Tour title and second in three tournaments, having closed 2009 with victory over Olivier Rochus in the final of the If Stockholm Open. He has now won 15 of his past 16 competitive matches, including lifting the trophy at the Tashkent Challenger.
Check back to www.baghdatis.com for photos from Sydney, plus news on the Australian Open draw.
Well done, Marcos!
