It took a few badly negotiated points in the tie-break of the second set for Alexandre Muller (126th in the world) to complete his superb week in Marrakech with a first major title. But his four consecutive backhand faults, at 3 everywhere in this decisive game, cost him dearly. Returning to the heights after giving up the first set, Roberto Carballes Baena (82nd) finally won physically (4-6, 7-6 (3), 6-2), after a terrible three-hour standoff and one minute. Injured in the left thigh at the start of the third act, Muller may regret not having sealed the game in two sets.
To be more enterprising and more incisive, Muller had nevertheless taken the reins of the game without showing nervousness for his first final at this level. He thus logically pocketed the first set 6-3, obtained (in vain) two break points in the first game of the second set, before picking up at 4 everywhere after giving up his service for the first time at 2-3. Of the two players, he seemed the more sure of himself and the more offensive. The tie-break that followed dealt him a first blow. His left thigh hit him a second. From then on, he no longer fought on equal terms. He tried to save himself at 4-2 in the last set, in an epic game that lasted fourteen minutes, but a double break sealed his loss.
Five years after a title in Quito, Carballès Baena thus won his second ATP trophy. He is the second Spaniard of the year to sign such a performance, after Carlos Alcaraz (Buenos Aires and Indian Wells). Muller, he will be able to console himself with his jump in the standings: Monday, he will appear for the first time in his career in the top 100 (96th).
