Joao Sousa’s dismal start to 2016 is showing no sign of improvement after he suffered a 6-2, 6-4, loss to Argentina’s Facundo Bagnis in the second round of the Gran Prix Hassan.
Sousa, who is seeded second in their week’s ATP 250 tournament, experience significant trouble with his second serve as he only managed to win 26% of points (0/7 during the opening set). The world No.36 started both sets positively by breaking Bagnis’ serve before the Argentine clawed his way back by outplaying an inconsistent Sousa.
The loss is the latest of a series of setbacks for Sousa, who won his first ATP title in Valencia last year. Since reaching the third round of the Australian Open, the 27-year-old has only managed to win one match in his last seven tournaments on the ATP Tour.
Sousa’s surprise loss has elevated Bagnis to his first ATP quarterfinal. The Argentine has already enjoyed multiple success on the Challenger Tour this year with a trio of clay-court titles in Buenos Aires, Rio De Janeiro and Santiago.
“I played so well today, in particular during the first set, and tried to stay focused in the following.” Bagnis was quoted by Tennis TourTalk as saying.
““I have been working a lot during the pre-season. I have a really good team as well as a lot of confidence and I feel comfortable on the court. The start into the season was really nice and I try to enjoy the moment.”
In his maiden quarterfinal, the world No.95 will play Spain’s Albert Montanes. Montanes, who reached the final in the tournament back in 2007, eased to a 6-4, 6-4, win over Daniel Gimeno-Traver in under 80 minutes during his second round match.
Top seed Borna Coric was moved to the last eight after his second round opponent, Simone Bolelli, withdrew from the match due to a left knee injury. After being awarded a first round bye, Coric has reached his first ATP quarterfinal on clay this year without lifting his racket. The world No.48 took to Twitter to wish his Italian rival a quick recovery.
Wish @BolelliSimone a speedy recovery, hope all goes well with your knee. Into quarters, but not the way I’d like it pic.twitter.com/CXZ5I32bkU
— borna coric (@borna_coric) 6 April 2016
In his first match of the tournament, Coric will play tennis veteran Paul-Henri Mathieu. The Frenchman overcame a testing opening set before blasting his way past qualifier Maximo Gonzalez 7-6(4), 6-0. The win takes the 34-year-old into his second ATP quarterfinal of 2016 after his run to the final in Montpellier earlier this year.
