Marcos saw his stay at the 2018 Australian Open come to an end on Wednesday evening, falling to Russian teenager Andrey Rublev. In a hard-fought battle that lasted more than three hours, Marcos succumbed 6-4, 6-7(5), 6-4, 6-2.
Coming off a first-round victory over Yuki Bhambri, Marcos was full of confidence in the early stages. With the exuberant Cypriot and Greek fans cheering, Show Court 2 had an electric atmosphere. After dropping the first set, Marcos rebounded to take the second in a tie-break. He stormed back from 1-4 down, reeling off six of the next seven points to draw level at a set apiece as a Rublev forehand sailed wide.
Marcos fought hard, giving the fans plenty to cheer for, and he would earn a break in both the third and fourth sets. But it was not enough, as Rublev converted nine of 24 break chances in total to advance after three hours and two minutes. Marcos fired 45 winners, including 23 aces.
Making his 14th appearance at the Australian Open, Marcos leaves with a 26-14 record. The runner-up in 2006, it is his most successful Grand Slam tournament.
