Photo: Ron C. Angle
Marcos is through to his first ATP World Tour final of the season after an impressive performance against Viktor Troicki saw him defeat the second-seeded Serb 6-3, 6-1 on Saturday at the Malaysian Open, Kuala Lumpur 2011.
In the final of the ATP World Tour 250 hard-court tournament, Marcos will face Janko Tipsarevic. He is through to the 11th final of his career, the first since he lost out in the Moscow title match 11 months ago, and is bidding to win his fifth trophy.
Two service breaks were exchanged in the opening stages of the first set before Marcos took control, breaking Troicki for a third time to lead 5-3 as he forced an error by drawing his opponent into the net with a drop shot. He then closed out the first set as Troicki hit long.
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Marcos made a strong start to the second set, breaking to lead 2-1. He fended off two break point chances for Troicki in the following game before getting the security of a double break in the fifth game by driving a backhand passing shot up the line. He then claimed victory in 84 minutes by breaking Troicki for the third time in the set.
"It feels great to be in another final," said Marcos. "There's still one match to go. Today was a strange first set from both of us, struggling with our serves. But I stayed calm and focused on what I had to and played the important points better in the first set. I'm happy with the way I fought, and to win without spending too much time on court."
The final will take place on Sunday, beginning not before 4:30pm local time (+8hrs GMT).
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Go, Marcos!
