Marcos kicked off the 2018 Australian Open in dominant fashion, defeating Indian qualifier Yuki Bhambri in straight sets on Monday. He surged to a 7-6(4), 6-4, 6-3 win in two hours and nine minutes, converting six of eight break chances.
Marcos was efficient from the baseline, firing 24 winners, while turning in a dominant serving display. He launched 12 aces and won 71 percent of points on his first serve.
A dangerous unseeded player, Marcos rebounded after conceding an immediate break to open the match. He and Bhambri would exchange three breaks in the first set, before Marcos took the early lead and would carry the momentum into the second and third sets. With Marcos' devoted legion of fans cheering on Court 8, a backhand error from Bhambri sealed the victory.
Marcos improves to 26-13 at the Australian Open. The runner-up in 2006, he is making his 14th appearance at Melbourne Park and will next face Russian rising star Andrey Rublev in the second round. Rublev, seeded 30th, is coming off a five-set victory over David Ferrer. It will be their first meeting.
