Photo: Ron C. Angle
A sterling effort from Marcos saw him push World No. 2 Rafael Nadal to three sets in their first-round clash at the China Open in Beijing on Tuesday. The top-seeded Nadal needed two hours and 10 minutes to prevail 6-4, 3-6, 6-4 in the pair’s sixth meeting.
With Nadal playing his first match since the US Open semi-finals, Marcos took advantage of the Spaniard’s lack of match practice and tested him throughout in a match that could have gone either way.
A terrific point from Marcos to save break point in the sixth game brought the vociferous crowd to its feet. Up against Nadal’s renowned defensive abilities, Marcos smashed the ball twice before a touch backhand volley won the point, with Marcos taking a bow to acknowledge the crowd’s appreciation.
However, Nadal would eventually find the cracks in Marcos’ game in the first set and sealed a one-set lead after a double fault on set point from Marcos in the 10th game.
Buoyed by his otherwise strong performance in the first set, Marcos did not lose heart and broke the Nadal serve in the first game of the second set with a rifling forehand winner back behind the Spaniard.
With Nadal getting frustrated at his lack of opportunities to draw level, Marcos struck again to break serve in the ninth game and seal the set as the Spaniard’s backhand clipped the net and landed wide.
The players were inseparable in the final set until the ninth game when Nadal’s potent forehand came to the fore, a winner off that wing setting up break point before another powerful forehand forced the error from Marcos. Marcos continued to be a thorn in Nadal’s side and opened up a 0-30 lead as the six-time Grand Slam champion served for the match, but Nadal recovered to win the final four points of the match to seal the win.
Next up for Marcos is an ATP Challenger Tour event in Tashkent next week.
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Go, Marcos!
