Marcos fought hard in his return to the ATP World Tour, but came up just short on Tuesday at the TEB BNP Paribas Istanbul Open. Fifth seed Viktor Troicki took their first round encounter 7-5, 6-4 in one hour and 35 minutes.
Marcos converted two of five break chances and surged to a quick 3-1 lead in the first set. But his momentum was slowed midway through the set, when he stopped play for a medical timeout on his right leg. Marcos would fight back after dropping the opener and falling behind a break in the second set, breaking right back for 2-2. He later denied two match points before eventually succumbing on the third.
Making his first ATP World Tour appearance since January, Marcos was also making his debut on the clay of Istanbul. He remains ahead of Troicki in their head-to-head at 4-3.
With no Emirates ATP Rankings points to defend until Roland Garros, Marcos will next compete at the Masters 1000 event in Madrid, the Mutua Madrid Open.
