What Is 2014 Grand Prix Hassan II - Doubles

Overview

The 2014 Grand Prix Hassan II – Doubles was a professional men’s tennis doubles competition held as part of the ATP World Tour 250 series. It took place in Casablanca, Morocco, marking one of the few ATP events hosted on the African continent. The tournament featured a draw of 16 doubles teams competing for ranking points and prize money.

Played on outdoor red clay courts, the event showcased strong baseline play and endurance, typical of clay-surface tennis. The 2014 edition saw an unexpected victory from an unseeded pairing, highlighting the competitive depth of the ATP Challenger and lower-tier tour events. The final match concluded with a decisive two-set performance.

• Champions: Mikhail Elgin and Denys Molchakov claimed their first ATP title together with a 6–3, 6–4 win in the final.
• Final opponents: Flavio Cipolla and Andrej Martin were defeated in straight sets despite solid service games.
• Venue: The tournament was held at the Complexe Al Amal in Casablanca, a facility known for its clay courts.
• Dates: The doubles event ran from April 7 to April 13, 2014, aligning with the week-long ATP schedule.
• Surface: Matches were played on outdoor red clay, influencing longer rallies and strategic point construction.

Match Structure and Format

The doubles competition followed the standard ATP World Tour format, including a 16-team draw with first-round byes for seeded pairs. Matches were best-of-three sets with a match tiebreak in place of a third set, a common rule in ATP 250 events.

• Scoring format: Best-of-three sets with a 10-point match tiebreak if the match reached one set all.
• Draw size: 16 teams participated, including four seeded pairs based on ATP rankings.
• Seeding: No seeds advanced to the final, underscoring the unpredictability of the bracket.
• Duration: The average doubles match lasted between 75 and 90 minutes, depending on set length.
• Clay impact: Slower surface reduced serve dominance and favored consistent baseline duos.
• Prize points: Winners received 250 ATP ranking points, crucial for lower-ranked players’ standings.

Comparison at a Glance

The following table compares key aspects of the 2014 Grand Prix Hassan II doubles event with similar ATP tournaments of that year:

While all three events were ATP 250 tournaments played on clay, the Grand Prix Hassan II stood out for its geographic uniqueness and lower-profile champions. Unlike the more established events in the Americas, Casablanca’s tournament attracted fewer top-50 players, allowing emerging or unseeded teams to thrive. The format consistency across events ensured fair competition standards.

Why It Matters

The 2014 Grand Prix Hassan II – Doubles holds significance for players, fans, and the ATP’s global outreach strategy. As one of the few ATP events in Africa, it contributes to the sport’s international development and provides opportunities for players outside traditional tennis powerhouses.

• Regional representation: Hosting an ATP event in Morocco promotes tennis growth across North Africa and the Arab world.
• Player opportunity: Lower-ranked players gain access to ATP points and prize money, aiding career progression.
• Unseeded success: Elgin and Molchakov’s win demonstrated that rankings don’t always predict performance.
• Clay-court preparation: The event helps players transition into the European clay season, including Roland Garros.
• ATP diversity: The tournament adds geographic and cultural variety to the tour’s annual calendar.
• Historical continuity: The Grand Prix Hassan II has been held since 1984, contributing to tennis tradition in Africa.

Ultimately, the 2014 edition reinforced the value of smaller ATP events in nurturing talent and expanding the sport’s footprint. Its outcome and organization reflect the competitive balance and global inclusivity that the ATP aims to uphold.