Stan Wawrinka, Matteo Berrettini up and running in Marrakech with opening wins

Four former Top 10 players, led by three-time major champion Stan Wawrinka, shined at the Grand Prix Hassan II Tuesday with winning starts in Marrakech.

Wawrinka fired 8 aces in a 6-1, 6-4 victory over left-hander Albert Ramos-Vinolas. The 39-year-old, who had pulled out of Miami before losing his Indian Wells opener last month, picked up his second win of the season from six matches by remaining undefeated against Ramos-Vinolas in nine career encounters.

In 2010, when the ATP 250 clay-court event was staged in Casablanca, Wawrinka celebrated his second career triumph. The Swiss meets seventh seed Mariano Navone for a place in the quarterfinals.

Matteo Berrettini posted his first tour-level victory of the season after powering past No. 6 seed Alexander Shevchenko, 6-2, 6-1. The 2021 Wimbledon finalist swept the final six games of the contest, ultimately breaking the 23-year-old five times from nine looks.

In March, the Italian made his first appearance since the US Open when he finished runner-up to Nuno Borges at the Phoenix Challenger. Berrettini, who’s been ranked as high as No. 6, currently stands at No. 135 following his injury struggles. Jaume Munar awaits in the next round.

David Goffin, a former world No. 7, and Fabio Fognini, a former world No. 9, also advanced. The Belgian defeated Arthur Rinderknech, 6-4, 6-4, while qualifier Fognini set a second-round clash with top seed Laslo Djere following his 6-7 (4), 6-1, 6-4 win over Hugo Gaston.

Goffin won this event in 2022 over Alex Molcan for his sixth (and most recent) ATP trophy. Reigning champion Roberto Carballes Baena continues his title defense Thursday against third seed Dan Evans.