ATP Marrakech: Day One Recap

The first day of the main draw at the Grand Prix Hassan II located in Marrakech, saw two of their home players crash out at the first hurdle. Other victories include Maximo Gonzalez, Albert Montanes and Facundo Bagnis.

Gonzalez advances

Having just come straight from qualifying, Maximo Gonzalez opened up proceedings in the tournament against Spaniard Daniel Munoz de la Nava. In the opening set, the Argentine raced away to a 5-0 lead before Munoz de la Nava got on the board. Gonzalez closed out the first set 6-1 in 24 minutes. The second set was much closer, with the games becoming longer, but it was still Gonzalez who was in control as he ran away to a 4-0 lead, going up a double break on the world number 74. With the set at 5-1, the Spaniard won three games in a row as he looked to get back on serve, but Gonzalez closed the match out and booked his spot in round two with a 6-1, 6-4 victory.

Montanes through in straights

Albert Montanes, another Spaniard was in action against Franko Skugor, who made it through qualification. In the opening set, the match was going on serve, with Skugor having to work much harder saving three break points, but at 3-3, Montanes broke and from then on, he couldn't be caught and won the set 6-4. The second set saw a break of serve at 3-2, which went the way of Skugor. In the following game, he failed to consolidate and Montanes broke and got the match back on serve. The crucial break came at 5-4 in the set, initially, the Croat saved four break points, but couldn't save another as Montanes went ahead and closed out the match 6-4, 6-4.

Albert Montanes serving to Franko Skugor during his first round match at the 2016 Grand Prix Hassan II | Photo: Ouarrak Abdessamiaa

Home favorite knocked out by Argentine Facundo Bagnis

Facundo Bagnis and Lamine Ouahab were meeting for the very first time. The first set was going on serve, until Ouahab broke to lead 6-5, but he couldn't consolidate and handed the break straight back and the set went to a tiebreaker. This time, it was Bagnis who sealed the first set 7-6(2). Bagnis continued the momentum and broke in the opening game of the second set and at 2-0, he broke again and the road was looking bleak for the Moroccan in this match. The Argentine continued to dominant and eventually sealed a 7-6(2), 6-2 victory.

Mektic through to round two in first ever main draw appearance

In the final game of the day, Nikola Mektic defeated wildcard Reda El Amrani 7-5, 6-2 in his first ever ATP main draw appearance. El Amrani started the brighter of the two players, breaking Mektic at 0-1 on his third break point attempt. He consolidated, but was continually being made to work, again saving more break points. Towards the end of the set, Mektic broke twice and found himself serving for the set at 6-5. He then took the opening set 7-5. In the second set, Mektic broke at 1-1, on his second break point chance. Both players continued to serve and at 5-3 on the El Amrani serve, Mektic had his first match point, but couldn't close it out and on his second match point, he clinched victory and advanced to round two, which is his biggest match of his career.

Day Two Schedule

Centre Court - 11am

(5) Teymuraz Gabashvili - Daniel Gimeno-Traver

Paul-Henri Mathieu - (6) Albert Ramos-Vinolas

Radu Albot - Nicolas Almagro

(WC) Amine Ahouda - Thiemo de Bakker

Court 1 - 11am

(Q) Lorenzo Giustino - Denis Istomin

Guillermo Duran / Maximo Gonzalez - Teymuraz Gabashvili / Jonathan Marray

(4) Oliver Marach / Fabrice Martin - Rohan Bopanna / Denis Istomin

Court 2 - 11am

Inigo Cervantes - (8) Jiri Vesely