Buse Continues Impressive Form, Defeats Berrettini at Grand Prix Hassan II
Marrakech, Morocco – Ignacio Buse continued his strong start to the clay court season, defeating former champion Matteo Berrettini in a grueling three-hour first-round match at the Grand Prix Hassan II on Tuesday. The Peruvian, seeded seventh, prevailed 7-6(5), 6-7(2), 6-4, marking his second victory over the Italian in as many months.
Buse’s win at the ATP 250 tournament in Marrakech demonstrates his growing confidence and adaptability as he transitions to the clay surface after the U.S. Swing. This marks the first time Buse has held a seeded position at the Grand Prix Hassan II, and he certainly lived up to the billing despite a challenging draw against the 2024 tournament winner.
“I felt really comfortable today,” Buse said, according to the ATP Tour. “The conditions are really speedy… It’s the first tournament on clay after the U.S. Swing, so I’m really happy to be back on clay. I’m really happy how I played against [Berrettini] and I’m really happy that I’m continuing here.”
The match was a back-and-forth affair, with both players showcasing their skills. Berrettini, a former World No. 6, fought valiantly, leveling the contest after a topsy-turvy second set that featured four breaks of serve. However, Buse proved too strong in the deciding set, ultimately ending Berrettini’s five-match winning streak at the event.
This victory builds on Buse’s recent success against Berrettini, having also defeated the Italian in three sets in Rio de Janeiro last month. He now holds a 2-0 Lexus ATP Head2Head lead over his opponent. Buse, currently ranked No. 59 in the PIF ATP Rankings, is enjoying a career-high ranking and is quickly becoming a player to watch on the tour.
The Peruvian’s performance is particularly noteworthy as he becomes the first player from his country to reach this stage in an ATP 500 tournament, and now the first Peruvian to win a match at the Grand Prix Hassan II since Luis Horna reached the quarterfinals in 2006 (when the tournament was held in Casablanca).
¡Qué gran estreno! 🎞️
🇵🇪 Ignacio Buse supera a Matteo Berrettini en su debut en Marrakech por 7-6(5), 6-7(2), 6-4… En tres horas‼️#GrandPrixHassanII pic.twitter.com/k7y0o4hAlb
— ATP Tour en Español (@ATPTour_ES) March 31, 2026
Buse will next face Camilo Ugo Carabelli in the second round. The Argentine secured his spot in the next round with a comeback victory over qualifier Timofey Skatov, winning 6-7(2), 6-3, 6-4. Carabelli relied on his strong serve, registering 12 aces during the two-hour and 46-minute match.
Elsewhere in the tournament, veteran Marco Trungelliti also advanced from the qualifying draw to the second round, defeating Henrique Rocha 7-6(5), 6-2. Trungelliti will face fifth-seeded Kamil Majchrzak, who overcame Juan Manuel Cerúndolo in a three-set battle, 7-6(3), 3-6, 6-3.
Rounding out Tuesday’s action, #NextGenATP Spaniard Rafael Jodar demonstrated his authority in his first-round match against Dusan Lajovic, winning 6-3, 6-4. Jodar will next face fourth-seeded Tomas Machac.
The 2026 Grand Prix Hassan II, a tournament steeped in history as it celebrates its 40th edition, continues to deliver compelling matches and showcase emerging talent on the ATP Tour. The tournament, held at the Royal Tennis Club de Marrakech, runs from March 30th to April 5th.
Buse’s continued success in Marrakech will undoubtedly be a storyline to watch as the tournament progresses. His ability to adapt to the clay court conditions and his growing confidence create him a strong contender for the title. Fans can follow the Grand Prix Hassan II for further updates and results on the official ATP Tour website.
The second round promises further excitement as these players battle for a place in the quarterfinals. Stay tuned to Archysport for continued coverage of the Grand Prix Hassan II.
