Carballes Baena defeats Evans to reach Marrakech final, first since 2018

World No 82 Roberto Carballes Baena is into his first ATP Tour final in five years, beating Dan Evans 2-6, 6-4, 6-2 in Marrakech.

The 30-year-old Spaniard won his only previous tour title at Quito in 2018, when he lifted the trophy as a qualifier, beating second seed Albert Ramos-Vinolas 6-3, 4-6, 6-4 in the final.

As for Evans, after the first set he looked like he was on course for his own first final since 2021. The two had never played each other before, and the British player’s form this week did look ominous. He had yet to lose a set in the three matches he has played in the tournament, and it came after a poor streak – he had been on a six-match losing run, stretching back to the Australian Open, snapped by his second-round win over Alexei Popyrin.

Carballes Baena will now play either Pavel Kotov or Alexandre Muller in Sunday’s final – either of whom will be in his maiden title match on tour.

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