Marathon Man Carballes Baena Wins 3-Hour Battle To Earn Marrakech Crown

It is safe to say Roberto Carballes Baena worked hard for his second ATP Tour title.

The Spaniard, who needed a deciding set in all four of his completed matches this week, rallied past Alexandre Muller 4-6, 7-6(3), 6-2 in three hours and two minutes on Sunday to win the Grand Prix Hassan II in Marrakech.

“I am so tired, but I am very, very happy. It was a very, very tough match,” Carballes Baena said in his on-court interview. “I tried to fight every point. I don’t know what to say. I am so happy.”

The 30-year-old is projected to climb to a career-high No. 49 in the Pepperstone ATP Rankings on Monday. Previously, his highest standing was No. 71.

Carballes Baena defeated three seeded opponents en route to the title in Marrakech, where he eliminated fifth seed Maxime Cressy in the first round, fourth seed Tallon Griekspoor in the quarter-finals and second seed Daniel Evans in the semi-finals.

For a moment, it seemed Carballes Baena might fall short of lifting his first ATP Tour trophy since 2018 in Quito. Muller was playing courageous tennis in the biggest match of his career, and they were knotted at 3/3 in the second-set tie-break.

But in the most critical moments, Carballes Baena produced his steadiest tennis. The Spaniard locked down from the baseline in the tie-break and allowed the Frenchman to misfire.

Then in the first game of the final set, Carballes Baena capitalised on his momentum by carving a perfect backhand drop volley winner to secure an immediate service break. The 30-year-old, who was motivated by the Moroccan crowd, did not look back from there.

“Unbelievable. The crowd was incredible,” Carballes Baena said. “In the second set I was a little bit tired, but the crowd was supporting me a lot and thank you very much!”

Muller, who will crack the world’s Top 100 for the first time Monday, continued to battle hard in his first ATP Tour final. The Frenchman earned three break points when Carballes Baena served for the match at 5-2, but was unable to claw all the way back.

After the 26-year-old missed a final jumping backhand, Carballes Baena fell to the court and put his hands on his head in celebration.