In Marrakech Fognini comes back and beats the Frenchman Gaston. Matteo Gigante is out immediately instead.

The 22-year-old Roman, who also qualified, retired at the beginning of the second set against the Spaniard Roberto CarballesBaena, n.64 in the ranking. 6-7(4), 6-1, 6-4, after more than two and a half hours of fighting. In the second round the Ligurian will challenge the Serbian Laslo Djere.