By Tony Fairbairn
- Dan Evans [2] v Andrea Vavassori [Q] 6-3 7-5
- Evans v Roberto Carballes Baena | H2H: First Meeting
MARRAKECH, MOROCCO – Dan Evans defeated Italian qualifier Andrea Vavassori in straight sets to set up a Marrakech semi-final with Roberto Carballes Baena.
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Dan Evans [2] def Andrea Vavassori [Q] 6-3 7-5
Dan Evans is into the semi-finals in Marrakech after defeating Italian qualifier Andrea Vavassori in straight sets. Just like his opening match, Evans started in positive fashion as he broke in the opening game with some high quality returning. However in this match Evans was provided with bigger tests on serve with the Italian giving no free opportunities to the Brit.
Evans’ opening service game went to five Deuces and saw the second seed having to save two break points in the process with the Italian coming up with some smart patterns of play. The Brit survived the early scare as he took a 2-0 lead but that didn’t faze Vavassori too much as the qualifier continued to put pressure on Evans with his serve.
Meanwhile the Italian was efficient on his serve, breaking minimum sweat, as the world number 201 held convincingly with Evans needing to come up with some bold and consistent tennis on the big points. That is exactly what Evans did in the ninth game of the match as he broke in a long game, converting his third set point to seal the opening set in 55 minutes.
In the second set both players continued to serve efficiently with Evans carrying the momentum into the second set. However the momentum didn’t last long as Vavassori imposed his game on return and sealed a break to love in the fifth game for a 3-2 lead. The Italian showed that his potential is way above the top 200 in the world as effortlessly stormed through his service games.
Eventually though, Vavassori’s lack of ATP tour match play in singles came back to haunt him as Evans capitalised on a passive and inexperienced end to the set. The Brit had no problems with capitalising on the opportunity as he sealed two consecutive breaks of serve in the tenth and twelfth games to clinch victory and a place in the last four in Marrakech.
Dan Evans [2] v Roberto Carballes Baena H2H & Match Fundamentals
| Dan Evans [2] v Roberto Carballes Baena | H2H: First Meeting |
| ATP Marrakech 2023 | Marrakech, Morocco |
| Clay (O) | Prize Money: €29,355 |
| First on Stadium Court (13:00 BST) | TennisTV <- Subscription Required |
Evans will now play his first ATP semi-final of the season against Roberto Carballes Baena in Marrakech.
Tale of the Tape – Key Stats (Last 12 months)
| H2H: | Dan Evans (WR 30) | Roberto Carballes Baena (WR 82) |
| Tournament Previous Best | R1 (2022) | QF (2022) |
| 1st Serve % | 61.8 | 57.3 |
| Service Games Won % | 76.2 | 72.8 |
| Break Points Saved % | 59.3 | 56 |
| 2nd Serve Return Points Won % | 52 | 50.6 |
| Break Points Converted % | 35.5 | 39.2 |
Evans will need to be wary of Carballes Baena’s efficiency on break points as the Brit looks to continue his consistency on serve.
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Playing Styles and Prediction
Carballes Baena has had a poor start to the season before this week in Marrakech, where he has won back-to-back matches for the first time in 2023. The Spaniard earned a hard-fought win over Tallon Griekspoor and has the perfect clay court game to counter-attack other player’s power as he looks to reach his second career final.
Evans will look to use the slice to force the errors from Carballes Baena as well as being consistently accurate on his serve. Carballes Baena will look to be aggressive on return and use his stubborn defensive skills to frustrate Evans, allowing the Brit to overcommit on his groundstrokes. This will be a battle of endurance for Evans, which may come too soon in the Brit’s clay court season.
Prediction: Carballes Baena in three sets.
How to Watch/Follow ATP Marrakech 2023
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