Evans Makes Winning Start In Marrakech

Daniel Evans snapped a six-match losing streak on Thursday when he overcame Australian Alexei Popyrin 6-1, 6-3 to reach the quarter-finals of the Grand Prix Hassan II.

Making his second appearance at the ATP 250 clay-court event in Marrakech, Evans dictated the baseline exchanges in the heavy conditions. He found great depth on his groundstrokes and saved both break points he faced to advance after 76 minutes.

“It was a tough match. I played well,” Evans said. “I haven’t won for a few tournaments, so it was important to win again. I enjoyed the match and it was good fun. I really like Marrakech, that is why I came back.”

The second seed Evans now leads Popyrin 3-0 in their ATP Head2Head series and will next face Andrea Vavassori or Jaume Munar.

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Lorenzo Musetti ensured the top two seeds both made it through on Thursday when he cruised past Frenchman Hugo Gaston 6-2, 6-3 to earn his first win since February.

The top seed opened his shoulders throughout the 70-minute clash, hitting an array of winners to improve to 2-0 in his ATP Head2Head series against Gaston.

Musetti, who lifted his maiden tour-level title on clay in Hamburg last season, will next play Francesco Passaro or Alexandre Muller. The 21-year-old Italian is currently No. 21 in the Pepperstone ATP Live Rankings.

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In other action, Dutchman Tallon Griekspoor moved past Elias Ymer 1-6, 6-3, 6-4 to advance to his third quarter-final of the year. The 26-year-old, who triumphed in Pune in January, will next meet Roberto Carballes Baena.

Christopher O’Connell also advanced, defeating third-seeded Dutchman Botic van de Zandschulp 6-7(8), 6-4, 6-0. The Australian recovered from squandering a 5-0 lead in the first set to eventually advance after two hours and 43 minutes.