What Is 2012 Grand Prix Hassan II - Singles

Content on WhatAnswers is provided "as is" for informational purposes. While we strive for accuracy, we make no guarantees. Content is AI-assisted and should not be used as professional advice.

Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2012 Grand Prix Hassan II – Singles was a men's tennis tournament held in Casablanca, Morocco, from April 9 to April 15, 2012. Unseeded player Pablo Andújar won the title, defeating second-seeded Nikolay Davydenko in the final with a score of 6–2, 6–2.

Key Facts

The 2012 Grand Prix Hassan II took place from April 9 to April 15, 2012
Pablo Andújar won the singles title as an unseeded player
Final score: Pablo Andújar defeated Nikolay Davydenko 6–2, 6–2
The tournament was held on clay courts at the Complexe Al Amal in Casablanca
It was an ATP 250-level event on the 2012 ATP World Tour

Overview

The 2012 Grand Prix Hassan II – Singles was an ATP 250 tennis tournament held in Casablanca, Morocco, as part of the 2012 ATP World Tour. Played on outdoor clay courts, the event marked the 28th edition of the Grand Prix Hassan II, a tournament with a long-standing tradition in North African tennis.

Unlike previous years, the 2012 edition featured a surprising outcome, with unseeded Spanish player Pablo Andújar capturing the title. The tournament attracted a mix of established professionals and emerging talents, all competing for ranking points and prize money in a competitive clay-court setting.

Event Dates: The tournament ran from April 9 to April 15, 2012, aligning with the early European clay-court season leading up to Roland Garros.
Location: Matches were held at the Complexe Al Amal Sports Center in Casablanca, Morocco, a venue known for its red clay surface and regional significance.
Champion:Pablo Andújar, ranked outside the top 50 at the time, claimed his first ATP title by winning the 2012 singles championship.
Final Match: Andújar defeated second-seeded Nikolay Davydenko in straight sets, 6–2, 6–2, in a dominant performance lasting just 72 minutes.
Surface: The event was played on outdoor red clay courts, a surface that emphasizes endurance, spin, and strategic point construction.

How It Works

The Grand Prix Hassan II follows the standard ATP 250 tournament format, featuring a 28-player singles draw with qualifying rounds and a main draw of seven rounds. Players earn ATP ranking points based on how far they advance, with the winner receiving 250 points.

Draw Size: The singles draw included 28 players, with 8 seeds and 4 qualifiers advancing from preliminary rounds.
Scoring System: Matches used standard best-of-three sets format, with a 12-point tiebreak at 6–6 in any set except the third.
Prize Money: The total prize pool was $442,500, with the winner earning $73,000 and 250 ATP ranking points.
Seeding: The top seed was Marcel Granollers, but he was eliminated in the quarterfinals; Nikolay Davydenko was the second seed and runner-up.
Player Nationalities: Competitors represented 14 countries, including Spain, Russia, France, Argentina, and Morocco, highlighting the tournament’s international appeal.
Historical Context: The Grand Prix Hassan II began in 1984 and is one of the few ATP events held on the African continent, making it a unique fixture on the tour.

Comparison at a Glance

The 2012 edition can be better understood when compared to other ATP 250 tournaments of the same year in terms of prize money, surface, and player field strength.

Tournament	Surface	Prize Money	Winner	ATP Level
Grand Prix Hassan II 2012	Clay	$442,500	Pablo Andújar	ATP 250
Barcelona Open 2012	Clay	$1,980,000	Rafael Nadal	ATP 500
Houston Clay Court Classic 2012	Clay	$500,000	John Isner	ATP 250
Marrakech Challenger 2012	Clay	$125,000	Maximilian Ramstedt	Challenger
Monte-Carlo Masters 2012	Clay	$2,780,000	Roger Federer	ATP Masters 1000

This comparison shows that while the Grand Prix Hassan II had a modest prize pool compared to higher-tier events, it remained a significant opportunity for clay-court specialists and lower-ranked players to gain points and experience. Its status as the only ATP event in Africa adds to its unique stature.

Why It Matters

The 2012 Grand Prix Hassan II was significant not only for its competitive results but also for its broader implications in the tennis world. It highlighted the growing importance of clay-court preparation in the lead-up to the French Open and provided visibility for players outside the top 10.

Breakthrough Win: Pablo Andújar’s victory marked his first ATP title, launching a career that would include multiple top-20 wins.
African Representation: Hosting an ATP event in Morocco promotes tennis development across the African continent.
Clay-Court Development: The tournament helps players adapt to European clay conditions before the French Open.
Player Exposure: Unseeded and lower-ranked players gain valuable ATP points and media attention through deep runs.
Tournament Legacy: The event honors King Hassan II of Morocco, reinforcing cultural and sporting ties.
Global Tour Balance: Having events outside Europe and North America contributes to a more geographically diverse ATP calendar.

Overall, the 2012 Grand Prix Hassan II – Singles remains a notable chapter in ATP history, combining athletic achievement with cultural significance and strategic importance in the tennis season.