Marrakech | Andujar ambushes Edmund

Kyle Edmund as the second seed was unable to counteract the wider experience of Pablo Andujar ranked 355 thanks to elbow problems which blighted his career over the last year or so, and slumped to a disappointing 6-2 6-2 defeat in Marrakech.

For me it was a good tournament…it was great experience for me. It’s been a good year so far, it’s not the result I wanted, but nevertheless a good week for me. Kyle Edmund

Andujar needed 82 minutes to overcome the British No.1 and saved two break points when serving for the match before claiming his third title in Morocco on his second match point and the fourth of his career.

The 33-year-old Spaniard, who won the event in 2011 and 2012 when it was played in Casablanca, has become the most successful player in the history of the tournament, which began in 1990. Previous to that it was a Challenger event for six years and is the only ATP Tour event on the African continent.

Edmund, ranked 26th, was appearing in his first career final but while no doubt disappointed at the result, will be happy that his week’s work will see him rise three places to 23 in the rankings.

“For me it was a good tournament…it was great experience for me,” he said. “It’s been a good year so far, it’s not the result I wanted, but nevertheless a good week for me.”