Photo: Ron C. Angle
Marcos is through to the second round at Roland Garros after comfortably dismissing American qualifier Jesse Witten 6-3, 6-4, 6-3 in very warm conditions on Monday in Paris.
Playing second on Court 7, Marcos made a strong start against the No. 183-ranked Witten, breaking serve for a 3-1 lead before going on to close out the first set 6-3.
Marcos was quick to capitalise on his advantage, breaking serve twice in the second set to open up a 5-2 lead. Witten was able to recover one of the service breaks to reduce the deficit to 5-3, but Marcos held strong when serving for the set for a second time to seal a two-set lead.
In a similar tale in the third set, Marcos went up a double-break lead at 5-2 and again Witten recouped one of the breaks. Marcos recovered immediately, though, and broke serve again to seal victory in one hour and 46 minutes.
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It was Marcos’ first win at Roland Garros since 2007, when he went on to achieve his best result in Paris by reaching the fourth round (l. to Andreev).
Next up for Marcos will be Spaniard Marcel Granollers, who booked his spot in the second round when France’s Paul-Henri Mathieu retired with digestive problems in the third set of their clash.
Stay tuned to www.baghdatis.com for photos from Paris and a look ahead to the second round, plus the second installment of Marcos’ clay-court video diaries.
Go, Marcos!
