Edmund reaches first final
Originally published on 14/04/18 00:00
It was a day to remember for the British No.1, who is yet to drop a set in the tournament, and he will challenge Pablo Andujar for the title on Sunday.
The former champion got the better of Joao Sousa 6-4 6-4 in the second semi-final.
Due to inclement weather in Marrakech on Friday, all quarter-final matches were postponed and pushed back until today. The unexpected downpour meant the last eight victors had to take to the court twice in a single afternoon.
Edmund booked his spot in the last four after a 6-2 6-1 success over Malek Jaziri in just 51 minutes while Gasquet overcame Gilles Simon 6-2 7-6(4) after a two-hour battle.
Gasquet has endured a difficult time with injuries in recent years and the quick turnaround between matches was never going to help his bid to reach a 30th final.
The Frenchman loked decidedly uneasy in the early stages of his duel with Edmund. The 31-year-old adopted an attack-minded approach in an attempt to conserve energy, however his opponent’s superior firepower forced him to retreat.
Breaks of serve were traded before Edmund struck a decisive blow in the fourth game of the opener. Gasquet cracked an attempted backhand passing-shot into the tramlines to fall 3-1 behind, and it was a deficit he failed to retrieve.
Edmund appeared to be closing in on victory when he established a 3-2 lead after his rival dumped a weary-looking forehand into the net, but Gasquet hit back immediately to pull level.
Locked at four apiece, the Brit made his move. A well-struck backhand from the No.2 seed secured him a critical breakthrough and he was within touching distance of the win he desired.
The Yorkshireman was calm and composed as he stepped up to the line to apply the finishing touches, and he was soon celebrating a landmark victory.