MARRAKECH, April 5, 2016
On a cloudy and rain-interrupted Tuesday at the Grand Prix Hassan II in Marrakech, two seeded players fell in the opening round. Daniel Gimeno-Traver, who advanced to his maiden final on the ATP World Tour in Casablanca last year, sprang an upset beating fifth seed Teymuraz Gabashvili 6-3, 6-4. The 30-year-old Spaniard didn’t face a break point and converted two of his own chances to prevail in one hour and 21 minutes. Gimeno-Traver will take on compatriot Albert Montanes next.
Un pasito más.Duro partido con muchos cambios por lluvia. Step by step. Many changes, time, court. Vamos! pic.twitter.com/1PLOxvsbYO
— Daniel Gimeno Traver (@dani_gimeno) 5. April 2016
2007 champion Paul-Henri Mathieu gained his second tour win over sixth seed Albert Ramos, winning 7-5, 6-3. The world number 63 from France won 67% of his first service points and capitalized on four of his eight break point chances to advance after one hour and 43 minutes. Mathieu will face Maximo Gonzalez next.
Jiri Vesely was the only seeded player, who made it into the second round on Tuesday. The tournament’s number eight eased past Inigo Cervantes 6-1, 6-3. Vesely saved all five break points he faced and broke his opponent’s serve four times to seal victory in one hour and 24 minutes. The 22-year-old Czech will play Croatian qualifier Nikola Mektic next.
Unseeded but to be considered as one of the event’s favourites is Nicolas Almagro, who opened his Marrakech campaign with a 6-4, 6-3 win over Radu Albot. The world number 62 from Spain sent down seven aces, winning 85% of his first service points to set a second round clash with top-seed Guillermo Garcia-López after 76 minutes.
