🎾 ATP Marrakech: Griekspoor vs Carreño Busta

🎾 ATP Marrakech: Griekspoor vs Carreño Busta – Match Preview

🧠 Form & Context

🟦 Tallon Griekspoor

• 🚀 Strong 2025 start: 11–6 overall, with QF runs at Indian Wells and a confident opening match in Marrakech.
• 🏜️ Marrakech proven: Quarterfinalist in 2023 and trending upward again this year.
• 💪 Power game evolving: Using the inside-out forehand and transition play more effectively than ever.
• 🎯 Clay debut in 2025: Despite a solid clay record (185–106), this is his first dirt match of the season.
• ⚠️ H2H note: Lost to Carreño Busta in a 5-set epic at the 2022 Australian Open.

🟧 Pablo Carreño Busta

• 🧱 Clay-court specialist: 377–185 lifetime record, with 6 ATP titles on the surface.
• 🎾 Injury comeback: Gradual return with smart scheduling and momentum through recent Challenger wins.
• 🔥 Current form: 5 wins in his last 6 matches, including over Lajovic, Hassan, and Svajda.
• 🧠 High tennis IQ: Master of point construction and exploiting less experienced opponents on clay.
• 📉 Ranking dip: Now outside the Top 100, but far more dangerous than the number suggests.

🔍 Match Breakdown

Griekspoor enters this clash as the bigger hitter, relying on his flat shots and first-strike tennis. While effective on quicker surfaces, he may need time to adjust to Marrakech’s clay, which favors patient rally construction and consistent depth over brute power.

Carreño Busta, a seasoned clay tactician, is already battle-tested on red dirt this season and thrives in long rallies. His footwork, backhand down the line, and ability to absorb pace make him a difficult puzzle to solve—especially for players who rush points on clay.

Their only prior meeting, a 5-set duel at the Australian Open, showed just how close this matchup can get. But Carreño’s superior preparation on clay may prove decisive this time.

🔮 Prediction

Pick: Carreño Busta in 3 sets

Griekspoor will have his moments with aggressive baseline play, but Carreño Busta’s patience, clay instincts, and match sharpness should edge him past the Dutchman in a tight one.