The clay courts of Marrakech will be alive for the fourth day of the ATP Grand Prix Hassan II as more big hitters adorned with byes take to the courts to strut their stuff. We at LWOT analyse another round of exciting matches to predict who will advance.
ATP Marrakech Day 4 Predictions
Pierre-Hugues Herbert vs Mattia Bellucci
Head–to–Head: Herbert 0 vs 1 Bellucci
Mattia Bellucci clipped his five-game winless run with a comfortable win over Pavel Kotov to kick off the clay season on a high note on Tuesday. The Italian fired nine aces and converted three out of seven break points to achieve a 6-4, 6-4 victory.
The 23-year-old faces Herbert, who followed up a series of tough qualifying wins with a notable 4-6, 6-3, 6-2 triumph over clay-court specialist Federico Coria. The 34-year-old somehow managed to overcome 12 double faults and 54 unforced errors to defeat the Argentine, whose lack of power proved detrimental as he could only hit ten winners throughout the three sets.
Bellucci has the tools to inflict more damage and won against Herbert in their encounter last year at a Challenger event in Pau.
Herbert must improve his serve and rein in his excessive errors, but he will need to take risks against the eighth seed. To achieve an upset, it will require his best performance of an already busy week.
Prediction: Bellucci in 2
Hugo Gaston vs Luciano Darderi
Head–to–Head: Gaston 1 vs 1 Darderi
Luciano Darderi has shown significant progress in his career. He clinched his first ATP Tour title at the 2024 Córdoba Open, defeating Facundo Bagnis in the final. This victory propelled him into the top 100 rankings, reflecting his upward trajectory.
Gaston, on the other hand, has experienced fluctuating results. While he has secured notable victories, his overall consistency has been shaky, but he can beat anyone on his day.
Both players have demonstrated proficiency on clay courts. Darderi’s baseline consistency and ability to construct points patiently align well with the clay demands. Gaston is known for his creative shot-making and use of drop shots, which can be particularly effective on slower surfaces.
Considering Darderi’s recent form, he appears to have a slight edge in this matchup. However, Gaston’s unpredictability and flair make him a formidable opponent capable of disrupting Darderi’s rhythm. The match is expected to be closely contested, but Darderi’s momentum will give him the advantage.
Prediction: Darderi in 3
Lorenzo Sonego vs Vit Kopriva
Head–to–Head: First Meeting
Lorenzo Sonego has demonstrated commendable performance in recent tournaments. He transitioned into 2025 after a decent season last year, achieving a career milestone by reaching the quarterfinals of the Australian Open.
Vít Kopřiva, on the other hand, has been making strides primarily on the ATP Challenger Tour, where he has secured six titles. His experience at the ATP Tour level remains limited, with notable appearances including first-round exits at the Australian Open and Wimbledon in 2024.
While Vit Kopriva has shown promise, especially on the Challenger Tour, the step up to face a seasoned player like Sonego may prove challenging. It won’t be surprising to see the Czech player upend his more illustrious opponent.
Prediction: Kopriva in 3
Tallon Griekspoor vs Pablo Carreno Busta
Head–to–Head: Griekspoor 0 vs 1 Carreno-Busta
Top seed Tallon Griekspoor begins the clay season following impressive hard-court performances. The 28-year-old Dutch star achieved quarter-final finishes in Montpellier and, most recently, Indian Wells, along with a semifinal showing in Dubai between those events.
The World #37 is behind Carreno Busta in their head-to-head meetings, losing their only previous encounter in a five-set thriller at the Australian Open in 2022.
At that time, the Spaniard was in better shape, but he is no longer the same player due to a two-year struggle with an elbow injury that has caused him to miss significant time on the tour.
Carreno Busta advanced to the second round after an easy straight-sets victory over Moroccan wildcard Younes Lalami Laaroussi. The 33-year-old won 85% of his first-serve points on his way to achieving his first tour-level clay-court victory since 2022.
Griekspoor represents a considerable increase in quality, and we believe that he will adapt to clay quickly and possess too much power for his Spanish opponent.
Prediction: Griekspoor in 2
Main Photo Credit: Mike Frey-USA TODAY Sports
