Photo: Thomas Guenther
Marcos overcame a tough challenge against Thomaz Bellucci on Tuesday in Cincinnati to reach the third round of the Western & Southern Financial Group Masters. Having led 6-2, 4-2, Marcos was forced to a third-set tie-break before winning 6-2, 4-6, 7-6(4) in two hours and seven minutes on Grandstand.
Marcos made a strong start to the match, taking advantage of a spate of unforced errors from Bellucci to win the first eight points and race to a 2-0 lead. After saving a break point in a lengthy sixth game, Marcos then broke serve again in the seventh game as Bellucci netted a backhand and served out the first set with ease.
More impressive ball striking from Marcos saw him engineer a service break in the fifth game of the second set with a return to the feet of Bellucci. However, after a medical timeout to receive strapping on his toe, Bellucci emerged stronger and broke back to level at 4-4. The Brazilian then saved two break points in the ninth game before breaking Marcos’ serve again to force a third set.
Breaks were exchanged midway through the third set as both players struggled to rein in their errors. Marcos produced his best tennis when he needed it in the ensuing tie-break, though, and sealed victory to set up a third-round clash with seventh seed Tomas Berdych.
Stay tuned to www.baghdatis.com for a look ahead to the third round, which will be played on Thursday.
Go, Marcos!
