What Is 2013 Grand Prix Hassan II – Doubles

Overview

The 2013 Grand Prix Hassan II – Doubles was a professional men's tennis doubles event held as part of the ATP World Tour 250 series. Taking place in Casablanca, Morocco, the tournament featured an international field competing on outdoor red clay courts, a surface known for longer rallies and strategic play.

As the 29th edition of the Grand Prix Hassan II, the event served as a key early-season clay-court competition ahead of the European clay swing. The doubles draw included both seeded and unseeded teams, with several notable pairs vying for ranking points and prize money.

• Champions Íñigo Cervantes and Paolo Lorenzi captured their first ATP title together, marking a breakthrough performance for the unseeded duo.
• The final was held on April 14, 2013, concluding the week-long tournament at the Complexe Al Amal in Casablanca.
• Cervantes and Lorenzi defeated the experienced pair Julian Knowle and Filip Polášek in straight sets: 6–3, 6–4.
• The tournament featured a 16-team doubles draw, with matches played in best-of-three sets format.
• As an ATP 250 event, the Grand Prix Hassan II offered 250 ranking points to the winning doubles team.

How It Works

The Grand Prix Hassan II is an annual ATP Tour event that follows standard professional tennis tournament structures, including qualifying rounds, main draws, and seeding based on player rankings. Doubles matches are typically best-of-three sets with a match tiebreak in lieu of a third set.

• Format: The doubles event used a 16-team draw with single elimination. Each match was best-of-three sets, with a 10-point match tiebreak replacing the third set.
• Surface: Played on outdoor red clay, which slows ball speed and favors baseline consistency and endurance.
• Seeding: The top four teams were seeded to avoid early matchups; however, unseeded Cervantes/Lorenzi advanced through all rounds.
• Scoring: Standard tennis scoring applied, with sets won by the first to six games (win by two), or a tiebreak at 6–6.
• Rankings: Players earned ATP ranking points based on how far they advanced, with 250 points awarded to the champions.
• Prize Money: The 2013 event had a total prize pool of $485,000, with doubles winners receiving a share of the purse.

Comparison at a Glance

Here’s how the 2013 Grand Prix Hassan II – Doubles compared to other ATP 250 events of the same year:

While many ATP 250 events vary by surface and location, the 2013 Grand Prix Hassan II stood out for its clay-court setting and the surprise victory of an unseeded team. Unlike hard or grass courts, clay favors longer rallies and physical endurance, influencing doubles strategy and player movement.

Why It Matters

The 2013 Grand Prix Hassan II – Doubles was significant not only for its competitive outcomes but also for its role in the ATP calendar and player development. Winning an ATP title, even at the 250 level, boosts rankings and confidence, especially for players like Cervantes and Lorenzi who were not primarily known for doubles success.

• First-time champions Cervantes and Lorenzi gained valuable ATP points, improving their world doubles rankings.
• The win provided career momentum for both players, especially in future clay-court tournaments.
• It highlighted the competitive depth of the ATP Tour, where unseeded teams can triumph over higher-ranked opponents.
• The tournament reinforced Morocco’s role as a host for international tennis events on the ATP circuit.
• It contributed to the globalization of tennis, showcasing the sport in North Africa.
• The event also supported local economies and inspired young Moroccan athletes to pursue tennis careers.

Overall, the 2013 Grand Prix Hassan II – Doubles was a milestone for its champions and a testament to the unpredictability and excitement of professional tennis.