Carballes Baena Reaches First Final In Quito

Roberto Carballes Baena is into his first-ever ATP World Tour final, battling back to defeat fellow qualifier Andrej Martin 4-6, 6-3, 6-2 in just under two and a half hours at the Ecuador Open in Quito.

It was just the second tour-level semi-final of Carballes Baena’s career (2014 Casablanca), while Martin was looking to win his second semi-final in as many tries (2016 Umag). 

Carballes Baena, a quarter-finalist last year in Quito, shot out to an early 3-0 lead in the first set, before Martin’s heavy groundstrokes off both wings reeled him back in.

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The 24-year-old Spaniard managed to shift the tide of the match at the start of the second set, saving three break points from 0/40 in the first game. With the momentum now firmly in his favour and his forehand firing, Carballes Baena surged to a double-break lead in the decisive set, eventually prevailing over his Slovakian opposition after forcing an error into the net. 

Carballes Baena, who has won three ATP Challenger Tour titles out of seven finals, moves to a 7-2 lifetime record in Quito and gets set for the biggest match of his career on Sunday.

The World No. 107 will play No. 2 seed and compatriot Albert Ramos-Vinolas or Brazilian Thiago Monteiro.