Marcos’ team, Rendezvous Pune Marathas, won the inaugural Champions Tennis League with victory over Ironkill Delhi Dreams in the final.
Marcos has been unstoppable for Pune in the past week and once again stepped up in the final with a crucial victory over Kevin Anderson in the deciding set to win the title for his team. Here’s what the official Champions Tennis League website wrote about Marcos’ invaluable input:
“It all came down to this: the top two singles players locking horns in the final battle for supremacy. Would the big-serving Anderson hit his way to victory, or would Baghdatis keep it together long enough to ensure his superior shot-making skills got the job done?
It turned out to be the latter, as Baghdatis rode a wave of momentum to stop Anderson in his tracks and win the set 6-3.
Anderson served with a lot of power, but didn’t quite have the adequate answers to the deadly backhand of Baghdatis. Just as the match was showing signs of walking down the ‘tie-break’ path, Baghdatis effected the crucial break of serve in the eighth game to open up a 5-3 lead, leaving Anderson on the mat.
His efforts gave Rendezvous Pune Marathas the coveted title, as they led Hyderabad 27-23 after the last game was played. Baghdatis also walked away with the Most Valuable Player award at the presentation ceremony, and no one can begrudge him that honour.
Baghdatis has hardly put a foot wrong in the CTL. Every time the Rendezvous Pune Marathas looked up to the former world number eight to carry the team’s aspirations, the 29-year-old Cypriot has lived up to them each time. It was a truly deserving victory for Pune, as they didn’t lose a single tie all through the event.”
Reflecting on his week playing for Pune, Marcos commented:
“I would like to thank all the people of the #CTLIndia2014 for everything they have done for our team, Rendezvous Pune Marathas, and for all the sponsors and organisers who produces such a professional event, from city to city and we got to enjoy parts of India too.
"I want to thank all my team mates, Agnieszka Radwanska, Saketh Myneni & Captain Pat Cash for the great moments and wish them luck for their professional careers. In our tennis careers, we are one man on court, but being part of a team is a different kind of feeling!
"I really had a very good time in India. All of the Indian people are just amazing and friendly and I hope to come back soon. PS: Loved the food."
