Matteo Berrettini Faces Ignacio Buse in Marrakech at Grand Prix Hassan II

Matteo Berrettini is set to face Ignacio Buse in the first round of the ATP Grand Prix Hassan II, taking place on March 31, 2026, at the Royal Tennis Club de Marrakech in Morocco. This match is part of an ATP 250 tournament, featuring a total prize money of €612,620 and played on outdoor clay courts.

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Berrettini, a 29-year-old Italian player, has had a challenging start to the 2026 season. He missed the Australian Open due to fitness issues and experienced a second-round exit in Buenos Aires. However, he managed to reach the quarterfinals in Rio before being eliminated in the third round at the Miami Open, where he lost to Valentin Vacherot after defeating Alexandre Muller and Alexander Bublik in earlier rounds.

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Conversely, Ignacio Buse, a 22-year-old Chilean, also missed the Australian Open. He had a better showing in Rio, reaching the semifinals but lost to Alejandro Tabilo. Buse faced early exits in both Indian Wells and Miami, where he was eliminated in the first round by Damir Dzumhur after entering the main draw through qualifiers.

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In their previous encounter at the Rio Open earlier this year, Ignacio Buse defeated Matteo Berrettini, leading their head-to-head record 1-0. This prior victory may give Buse a psychological edge going into their upcoming match.

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Betting odds indicate that Berrettini is favored to win, with a moneyline of -190, while Buse is at +145. Analysts predict a competitive match, with expectations that it may exceed 20 total games. Berrettini is anticipated to utilize his powerful serve and top-spin forehand, while Buse will rely on his strong return game and composure on the court.

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Experts suggest that Berrettini's recent performance, particularly his victory over the 10th seed Bublik in Miami, positions him well for a strong showing in Marrakech. Meanwhile, Buse's near-final appearance in Rio indicates he is also on an upward trajectory, making this match a critical test for both players.

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Some analysts caution that Berrettini's fitness issues could hinder his performance, especially against a player like Buse, who has already proven capable of defeating him. Buse's ability to break Berrettini's serve in their last match raises concerns about the Italian's consistency under pressure.

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• “Berrettini will bring his body serve and top-spin heavy forehand to the fore.” — Sportskeeda Analyst

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• “Buse troubled Berrettini in Rio with his return game and broke him three times to get a result.” — Sportskeeda Analyst

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This match promises to be an intriguing contest as both players seek to establish momentum in the tournament.

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