Photo: Barclays Dubai Tennis Championships
Despite a tremendous effort against World No. 2 Novak Djokovic, Marcos’ campaign at the Barclays Dubai Tennis Championships came to an end in the semi-finals on Friday, with defending champion Djokovic rallying from a set down to claim victory 6-7(2), 6-3, 6-4.
While it is a disappointing loss for Marcos, having come so close to beating one of the best players in the world, he can take heart from a week where he has battled through food poisoning to reach the semi-finals of an ATP World Tour 500-level tournament, earning him 180 ATP Ranking points.
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“I'm going to talk with my team and find a solution to see how to win these matches. Because I think if I do that I'm not very far from a good tennis level,” said Marcos. “I'm not very far from the top level. It's just the important points; important matches that make a difference. And I lost a lot of them in my career, and I have to find a solution.”
Marcos twice recovered from a break down in the first set to force a tie-break against the second-seeded Djokovic and excellent play in the breaker, especially on serve, saw Marcos edge the one-set lead.
Marcos was denied on three break point chances in the first game of the second set but earned his break through in the third game, capitalising on a very poor game from Djokovic, punctuated by unforced errors, to take a 2-1 lead.
Unfortunately, Marcos was unable to hold on to his lead, later admitting to losing concentration as he allowed the Serbian to draw level at 2-2. Marcos again squandered three break points in Djokovic’s following service game and was made to pay the price later on, having missed another break point chance in the seventh game before Djokovic broke through to earn a 5-3 lead as Marcos netted a forehand. Djokovic then levelled the match with a comfortable service hold to 15.
Taking heart from having recovered from a set down to win in his past two matches, Djokovic struck early in the third set, breaking serve in the third game courtesy of successive forehand errors from Marcos. The 22-year-old Serbian was then clinical in his finishing, not allowing Marcos another chance to get back into the set as he went on to close out the match after two hours and 56 minutes.
“I lost the match that I think I should have won 100 times,” reflected Marcos. “I lost the match that I had in my hands. I'm really frustrated now. But it's not easy. I was up a break in the second set, lost my serve by making some unforced errors. Then even then I had some break points to break again. I didn't take them, and it's a bit frustrating.
“I'm a bit frustrated because I was feeling good on court, moving well. And I had the chance to beat a guy who is Top 5, and I didn't take it.”
Marcos will now turn his attentions to Davis Cup duty as Cyprus faces Egypt in Marcos’ home town of Limassol in the first round of Europe/Africa Zone II next weekend, 5-7 March.
Well done on a great effort, Marcos!
