🎾 ATP Marrakech: Carballés Baena vs Baadi

🎾 ATP Marrakech: Carballés Baena vs Baadi

🧠 Form & Context

🟨 Roberto Carballés Baena

• 🏆 Marrakech master: Champion in 2023, finalist in 2024, QF in 2022.
• 🧱 Clay-court expert: Career 534–316 on clay—pure dirtballer credentials.
• 📉 Slow 2025 start: Just 6–9 this year, including 0–2 on clay.
• 🇪🇸 Mental edge: Gritty player who grinds down lower-ranked opponents.

🟫 Taha Baadi

• 🎯 Breakthrough moment: Ranked No. 697, enters off a 5–1 Futures run in March.
• 🌱 ATP main draw debut: First match at this level—tough ask vs a clay specialist.
• 📈 Solid on clay: 5–3 on clay in 2025; game built for baseline battles.
• 🇨🇦 No expectations: Free-swinging underdog—dangerous if Baena starts cold.

🔍 Match Breakdown

Carballés Baena is in his element here. His heavy topspin and depth work well in Marrakech’s slower clay conditions, and his history at this venue speaks for itself. Baadi has played well on the Futures circuit and deserves this opportunity, but the gap in experience and level is vast.

If Baena asserts control early and avoids getting dragged into loose patterns, this should be straightforward. Baadi’s best shot is to attack early and take time away from the Spaniard—easier said than done.

🔮 Prediction

Pick: Carballés Baena in straight sets

Expect a valiant effort from Baadi, but Baena’s mastery of this surface—and this venue—should see him through comfortably.