Photo: Ron C. Angle
Marcos enjoyed a confidence-boosting performance and victory ahead of Roland Garros with a 6-4, 6-0 win over 2008 Roland Garros semi-finalist Gael Monfils on Wednesday at the 1er Masters Guinot Mary Cohr.
Playing for the Mary Cohr team, captained by Marat Safin, Marcos laid out his intentions early with strong play on his backhand earning him two break points in the opening game of the match. Monfils was able to save his service game in that instance, but Marcos quickly gave himself another chance in the Frenchman’s second service game, creating a break point with a backhand-return winner and converting with a forehand winner.
Monfils levelled proceedings in the sixth game - a strong return from the right-hander forcing the error from Marcos to open up a 15-40 lead and he converted his second opportunity as Marcos’ forehand found the net.
Marcos was quick to respond though, immediately earning the chance to regain his break advantage as Monfils’ drop shot landed in the net and Marcos took a 4-3 lead with a forehand winner down the line. Marcos then saved two break points in the following game to hold for 5-4.
After a slight delay at the changeover as Monfils - who has been absent from the ATP World Tour recently with a knee injury - received treatment for blisters on his hand, Marcos confidently closed out the first set with two rifling forehand winners.
Marcos called the trainer on to massage his upper-left arm at the end of the set, but was not hampered as his fine play carried over to the second set.
He immediately broke Monfils in the first game as a huge forehand down-the-middle caught the back of the line and the Frenchman’s weak reply found the net. A second break of serve swiftly followed as a biting backhand pass forced Monfils to net his backhand volley, handing Marcos a 3-0 lead.
In the relaxed and light-hearted atmosphere on court, Marcos and Monfils were all smiles as they both enjoyed the extra practice before Roland Garros. After a cheerful, lengthy exchange between the two, Marcos closed out the victory by winning the remaining three games – sealing the win with a forehand down-the-line winner.
Well done, Marcos!
