IT was business as usual for the four seeds out on court in the ATP Tour’s Marrakech Open on day one with all the top ranked players making it through to the Round of 16. Only one of those seeds took three sets to get the win, and in fact it was the only match of the eight in play that went the full length to decide the winner.

Sixth seed Argentinian, Guido Pella needed the three sets to book a spot in the second round, getting up with a 7-5 4-6 6-2 victory over Japanese qualifier, Taro Daniel. After winning the first set in a tight one, Pella found himself down two breaks against the lower ranked Daniel, and while he could make one back, he could not get the second one and his opponent levelled the match. Pella stepped it up in the third set, getting an important win in Morocco to ensure he made it through to the Round of 16.

It was a bit easier for the three other seeds with second seed Fabio Fognini making light work of talented Brazilian qualifier, Thiago Seyboth Wild. The Brazilian youngster has plenty of potential as he has shown already in 2020 by winning his maiden title, but Fognini was a class above and brushed him aside, 6-2 6-1. Also through to the Round of 16 was fourth seed Pablo Carreno Busta and seventh seed Marin Cilic. Carreno Busta downed compatriot and tournament wildcard, Jaume Munar 6-4 6-1, while Cilic survived a battle with fellow veteran, Frenchman Richard Gasquet, 7-6 6-1.

In the unseeded matches, Australian wildcard Thanasi Kokkinakis’ return to the tour continued with an important 6-4 6-2 win over Pierre-Hugues Herbert to set up a second round clash with Fognini. Also through to the next round was a couple of South Americans in Chilian, Nicolas Jarry, and Brazilian, Thiago Monteiro. They both won their respective matches in straight sets, as did veteran Spaniard, Fernando Verdasco.

Tomorrow’s action is highlighted by a huge first round clash between number one seed and top 10 player, Alexander Zverev taking on Grand Slam finalist, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga. Also taking place is a battle between tricky players, Philipp Kohlschreiber and Feliciano Lopez, while two improvers this year in Marton Fucsovics and Ugo Humbert also lock horns.

ROUND OF 32 RESULTS:

[2] Fabio Fognini (ITA) defeated [Q] Thiago Seyboth Wild (BRA) 6-2 6-1
[4] Pablo Carreno Busta (ESP) defeated [WC] Jaume Munar (ESP) 6-4 6-1
[6] Guido Pella (ARG) defeated [Q] Taro Daniel (JPN) 7-5 4-6 6-2
[7] Marin Cilic (CRO) defeated Richard Gasquet (FRA) 7-6 6-1
Fernando Verdasco (ESP) defeated [Q] Pedro Sousa (POR) 6-2 6-3
Nicolas Jarry (CHI) defeated Juan Ignacio Londero (ARG) 7-5 6-1
Thiago Monteiro (BRA) defeated Andreas Seppi (ITA) 7-5 6-4
[WC] Thanasi Kokkinakis (AUS) defeated Pierre-Hugues Herbert (FRA) 6-4 6-2