Mattia Bellucci vs Pavel Kotov Preview & Prediction | 2025 Grand Prix Hassan II | First Round

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Eighth seed Mattia Bellucci meets Pavel Kotov in the first round at Grand Prix Hassan II.

Ranking points: ATP 250

Start date/time: Tuesday 1st April, 2025: UK – not before 1:10pm / US ET – not before 8:10am / US PT – not before 5:10am

Venue: Royal Tennis Club de Marrakech, Marrakesh, Morocco

Surface: Outdoor clay

How to watch on TV: UK – Sky Sports Tennis / US – Tennis Channel

How to watch online: UK – Sky Go / US – Tennis Channel

Tickets: Visit this link for the latest Mattia Bellucci vs Pavel Kotov ticket information

Mattia Bellucci vs Pavel Kotov prediction

Mattia Bellucci’s 2025 has gone from strength to strength after shrugging off failing to make the Australian Open main draw by breaking back into the world’s top 100.

The Italian defeated Daniil Medvedev and Stefanos Tsitsipas in his stand-out run as a qualifier to the semi finals in Rotterdam last month, but most recently failed to make much impression in Indian Wells and then Miami where he succumbed to a 7-6 6-2 defeat to Chu Hsin Tseng in the first round. 

In contrast, Kotov has been moving in the opposite direction, tumbling out of the top 100 in late January and failing to progress from qualifying in Doha, Dubai, Indian Wells and Miami.

The form book would give Bellucci the edge and although the 23-year-old eighth seed tends to favour hardcourts over clay, this surface may suit the 5ft 9 Italian against a big-hitting opponent with a six-inch height advantage. 

The two players have met once before in a Challenger event in Phoenix two years ago with Kotov prevailing 6-4 6-3 on an outdoor hard court. 

It could go either way but we’re tipping the seeded player to down the Russian, who has a 2-7 losing record against lefties and has endured a morale-sapping run of late.

Mattia Bellucci vs Pavel Kotov tip: Mattia Bellucci to win