Former Finalist Montanes Advances In Marrakech

Argentine Facundo Bagnis set a second-round clash with second seed Joao Sousa at the Grand Prix Hassan II as he defeated local wild card Lamine Ouahab 7-6(2), 6-2 on Monday in Marrakech.

The No. 95-ranked Bagnis, who claimed his second tour-level win of the season, was joined in the second round by countryman Maximo Gonzalez. The qualifier dismissed Daniel Munoz de la Nava 6-1, 6-4 in 72 minutes.

Former finalist Albert Montanes opened his campaign with a 6-4, 6-4 victory over qualifier Franko Skugor. The 35-year-old Spaniard finished runner-up to Paul-Henri Mathieu in the 2007 final. Nikola Mektic also advanced to the second round with a 7-5, 6-3 win over home hope Reda El Amrani.

In doubles, Pablo Carreno Busta and Inigo Cervantes topped their fellow Spaniards Nicolas Almagro and Guillermo Garcia-Lopez 6-7(5), 6-3, 10-6.