STARNBERG, April 8, 2019

World No. 3 Alexander Zverev is aiming to pick up his first singles trophy of the season at the Grand Prix Hassan II in Marrakech. The reigning Nitto ATP Finals champion, making his debut at the only ATP Tour event held in Africa, will meet Denis Istomin in the first round.

Zverev is joined by fellow Top 30 stars Fabio Fognini, Kyle Edmund and Gilles Simon, who are all bidding to capture their first crown of 2019. Fifth seed Laslo Djere and Juan Ignacio Londero, who clinched their maiden ATP Tour titles this year on clay, also feature in an exciting field at the Royal Tennis Club de Marrakech.

Six of the past 10 editions of the event have been won by Spanish players. Three-time champion Pablo Andújar will begin his title defence against Federico Delbonis.

Johnson to bid for third Houston crown

Two-time defending champion Steve Johnson leads the way at the Fayez Sarofim & Co. U.S. Men’s Clay Court Championship in Houston. The top-seeded US-American, who owns an 11-4 tournament record, is bidding to become the first player to win three straight titles at the event since Bobby Riggs in 1936-38.

Johnson is one of five seeded US-American players, with Reilly Opelka, Taylor Fritz, Mackenzie McDonald and Sam Querrey also in action at River Oaks. Jeremy Chardy, Cameron Norrie and Jordan Thompson complete the list of seeded players.

Ivo Karlovic will be aiming to win his second Houston crown. The 40-year-old lifted the trophy in 2007 and also reached the semi-finals in 2011 and 2018