Roberto Carballes Baena won the ATP 250 tournament in Marrakaech after defeating Alexandre Muller 4-6 7-6(3) 6-2 in Sunday's final. It was tight and intense battle, which ended up after 2:58 hours, giving second career's title for the Spaniard. Carballes Baena needed to fight hard for his title, as all his completed matches during the week in Morrocco ended up in three sets. The highlight match on the road to final was definitely a Saturday's semifinal clash against Daniel Evans. The Spaniard denied tournament's seed #2 to advance into final, coming back from being a set down and winning 2-6 6-4 6-2 after 2:37 hours of play. Carballes Baena was a slight pre-match favorite ahead of the final against Muller, but also needed to make up the gap after losing first set. The Spaniard played better in second phase of the match, moving into 4-2 lead in the middle of set, but Muller broke back in 7th game. Set was settled in tiebreak, where Carballes Baena occured to be better with a score 7-3 and forced the deciding set. The Spaniard followed the blow, earning the early break in opening game after 5 deuces battle and did not give away his advantage till the end, adding another and decisive break in 7th game which was even longer - 7 deuces.
The succesful run in Morroco was vital for both finalists as they move up in next ATP Rankings. Carballes Baena will appear in the top 50 for first time in career, advancing from 71th place. The 30 years-old Spaniard got a prize for his patient, as his first and only tournament victory till today took place in Quito, more than 5 years ago in February 2018. Despite losing in the final, Alexandre Muller can be satisfied as well, as the 26 years-old Frenchman advanced into top 100 for the first time, following his maiden final on ATP Tour level.
Here are the final's highlights:
