Carballes Baena Wins Marathon Match, Reaches Braunschweig Semis

Roberto Carballes Baena (photo: Debbie Jayne Kinsey)

BRAUNSCHWEIG/STARNBERG, July 11, 2024

World No.64 Roberto Carballes Baena leads the semi-finals line-up of the BRAWO Open. The top seed of the ATP Challenger Tour 125 clay-court tournament in Braunschweig, Germany outlasted eighth-seeded Chilean Cristian Garin 4-6, 6-3, 7-5 in the stage of the last eight on Thursday.

Carballes Baena converted six of his 16 break-point chances and won 53 per cent of the total points played to secure victory in three hours and five minutes. The 31-year-old Spaniard is seeking his 12th Challenger career title this week, his first of the season. He will next take on Frenchman Pierre-Hugues Herbert, who was 6-3, 6-4 winner over Duje Ajdukovic from Croatia.

In the bottom half of the draw, Botic van de Zandschulp defeated Henri Squire of Germany 7-5, 7-6(2). The No. 5 seed from the Netherlands broke his rival’s serve four times to prevail after two hours and 14 minutes.

“The BRAWO Open is a fantastic tournament, the venue is great, and the crowd is amazing. I’m glad to be here,” the winner said afterwards.

Up next for van de Zandschulp will be Pedro Cachin from Argentina, who edged past sixth-seeded Colombian Daniel Elahi Galan 6-4, 6-4. The encounter lasted one hour and 24 minutes.