CASABLANCA, April 8, 2015

Second round action got underway with the bottom half of the draw on Wednesday at the Grand Prix Hassan II in Casablanca.

Two time champion Pablo Andújar had to suffer his second defeat in Morocco’s largest city. The 29-year-old Spaniard lost against sixth seed Andreas Haider-Maurer 5-7, 3-6, although he won 76% of his first service points. The Austrian, however, saved all of his four break points he faced and capitalized on two of his own to seal victory in one hour and 26 minutes.

Pablo Andújar lifted the trophy in Casablanca in 2011 and in 2012 (photo: GP Hassan II)

Andreas Haider-Maurer advanced to the quarterfinal (photo: GP Hassan II)

Haider-Maurer will face Damir Dzumhur next. The 22-year-old Bosnian benefited from the retirement of last year’s finalist Marcel Granollers. The Spanish fourth seed was forced to end his opening match after only 24 minutes due to a knee injury.

Nicolas Almagro gained his third victory in his third meeting with Carlos Berlocq. The Spanish wild card didn’t face a single break point winning 7-5, 7-5 in one hour and 41 minutes and is only one match win away from 250 clay court victories. “I feel good,” said Almagro. “I’m playing better day by day. Today, was a tough match against Carlos, who plays very well on this surface. Against Klizan it will be a difficult match again, facing a lefty. But if I play like today I should have my chance.”

Nicolas Almagro has reached his third quarterfinal of the season (photo: GP Hassan II)

Almagro will face Martin Klizan in the quarterfinals. The second seeded Slovakian defeated Dustin Brown in the longest encounter of day. In an even affair it was Klizan, who had the better ending winning 6-4, 4-6, 7-6 after two hours and six minutes.

Martin Klizan beat Dustin Brown for the third time in their fourth Meeting (photo: GP Hassan II)