What Is 2016 Grand Prix Hassan II - Singles

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2016 Grand Prix Hassan II – Singles was won by Fernando Verdasco, who defeated Borna Ćorić in the final with a score of 6–3, 6–2. The tournament took place from April 4 to April 10, 2016, in Casablanca, Morocco, on outdoor clay courts.

Key Facts

Fernando Verdasco won the 2016 Grand Prix Hassan II – Singles title
Final score was 6–3, 6–2 in favor of Verdasco
Tournament held April 4–10, 2016, in Casablanca, Morocco
Played on outdoor red clay courts at Complexe Al Amal
Verdasco defeated Borna Ćorić in the final match

Overview

The 2016 Grand Prix Hassan II – Singles was a men's ATP World Tour 250 tennis event held in Casablanca, Morocco. It marked the 32nd edition of the tournament and featured a 28-player singles draw competing on outdoor red clay courts.

Spanish player Fernando Verdasco emerged as champion, capturing his first title of the 2016 season. The event served as a key early-season clay-court preparation for players ahead of Roland Garros.

Winner: Fernando Verdasco claimed the title by defeating Borna Ćorić in straight sets, 6–3, 6–2, in the final match.
Date: The tournament ran from April 4 to April 10, 2016, aligning with the ATP spring clay-court swing.
Location: Matches were held at the Complexe Al Amal sports facility in Casablanca, Morocco, a regular host since 2016.
Surface: The event was played on outdoor red clay courts, known for slower ball speed and higher bounce.
Ranking Points: The winner earned 250 ATP ranking points, crucial for seeding in upcoming Grand Slam events.

How It Works

The Grand Prix Hassan II is an ATP 250 tournament that follows standard professional tennis rules and formats. Players compete in a single-elimination draw with best-of-three sets matches until the final.

Format: The singles draw featured 28 players, including 4 qualifiers and 3 wild cards, competing in a knockout structure.
Seeding: Top seed was Roberto Bautista Agut, ranked No. 19 globally, while Verdasco was seeded fifth.
Qualification: Four players advanced through qualifying rounds held April 3 to earn main draw spots.
Match Rules: All matches were best-of-three sets with a tiebreak at 6–6, except in the final set.
Prize Money: The total purse was $466,200, with Verdasco receiving $83,600 for winning the title.
Player Entry: Entry was based on ATP rankings, with wild cards granted to local and regional players.

Comparison at a Glance

Below is a comparison of the 2016 Grand Prix Hassan II with similar ATP 250 events in terms of prize money, surface, and location.

Tournament	Surface	Prize Money (USD)	Dates Held	Winner (2016)
Grand Prix Hassan II	Outdoor Clay	$466,200	Apr 4–10	Fernando Verdasco
Barcelona Open	Outdoor Clay	$2,325,000	Apr 18–24	Rafael Nadal
Houston Clay Court	Outdoor Clay	$546,750	Apr 4–10	Benjamin Becker
Marrakech Challenger	Outdoor Clay	$82,000	Mar 28–Apr 2	Andreas Haider-Maurer
Umag Croatia Open	Outdoor Clay	$466,200	Jul 18–24	Carlos Berlocq

While the Grand Prix Hassan II had the same prize level as Umag, it attracted fewer top-20 players compared to Barcelona. Its timing in early April makes it a niche event for players adjusting to clay. The tournament's location in Morocco makes it the only ATP event on African soil, giving it unique regional significance.

Why It Matters

The 2016 Grand Prix Hassan II was notable for its role in player development and regional tennis growth. It provided vital clay-court experience and ranking points for mid-tier ATP players.

Historic Venue: The tournament returned to Casablanca in 2016 after a year in Marrakech, restoring its traditional home.
African Representation: As the only ATP event on the African continent, it boosts visibility for tennis in the region.
Verdasco’s Comeback: The win marked Verdasco’s first title since 2010, signaling a resurgence in his career.
Player Development: Younger players like Borna Ćorić gained valuable experience despite losing in the final.
Clay-Court Prep: The event helped players fine-tune their games ahead of the French Open in May.
Local Impact: The tournament drew over 15,000 spectators, promoting sports tourism in Casablanca.

The 2016 edition reinforced the Grand Prix Hassan II’s importance as both a competitive and cultural milestone in the ATP calendar.