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Roberto Carballes Baena is through to his second ATP final in Marrakech. The Spaniard overcame a slow start and beat Daniel Evans 2-6, 6-4, 6-2 in two hours and 36 minutes for his first ATP title clash since Quito 2018! Roberto played better as the match progressed, securing a late break in the second set and rattling off nine of the final 11 games to seal the deal.
Carballes Baena saved six out of nine break points and converted four out of 12 break chances to emerge at the top and set the title duel against Alexandre Muller. They traded breaks at the start of the match, and the Spaniard fended off a break point at 1-2 with a service winner.
Evans kept pushing on the return and grabbed a break at 30 after the rival's forehand error in game six to open a 4-2 gap. The Briton denied a couple of break points in the seventh game to cement the lead and secured his third break of serve a couple of minutes later for 6-2 and a boost.
Roberto Carballes Baena beat Daniel Evans in the Marrakech semi-final.
Carballes Baena saves two break points at 1-2 in the second set, turning that game into one of the pivotal moments of the entire duel. They both served well in the next four games to remain locked up at 4-4.
Roberto placed a lob winner in the ninth game for two break points and clinched the second after Daniel's loose forehand to move 5-4 in front. The Spaniard fired a forehand down the line winner in the tenth game to wrap up the set and force a decider.
Struggling in those moments, Evans fell on the fourth break point at the start of the final set and experienced an early setback. Carballes Baena served well in games two and four to forge a 3-1 advantage and settle into a fine rhythm.
Daniel squandered game points in the fifth game and placed a forehand wide to suffer a break and find himself 4-1 behind. The Briton missed a break chance in game six and pushed the rival 5-1 ahead and closer to the finish line.
Evans produced a fine hold in game seven to extend the battle before Carballes Baena earned two match points with a service winner in the next one. The Spaniard fired another unreturned serve to emerge at the top and celebrate a place in the final.