ALMATY/STARNBERG, October 10, 2025
An exciting week of tennis is set to unfold at the Almaty Open, as defending champion Karen Khachanov and former World No. 1 Daniil Medvedev headline a strong field featuring established stars and next-generation talents. The tournament, held in Kazakhstan’s vibrant city of Almaty, kicked off with a special welcome event at the scenic Abay Restaurant on Kok Tobe mountain, where players arrived by cable car and enjoyed breathtaking views of the region.
World No. 14 Khachanov, the reigning Almaty Open champion, returns as the top seed after another consistent season highlighted by semifinal runs in Doha and Dubai. The 28-year-old Russian will look to defend his title and further build on his impressive indoor record. Second seed Medvedev, a former US Open champion and one of the most cerebral players on tour, is making his debut in Almaty, adding extra anticipation to this year’s edition.
The third seed, Italy’s Flavio Cobolli, has enjoyed a breakout 2025 season, winning ATP titles in Bucharest and Hamburg to rise into the Top 30. Fourth seed Luciano Darderi, another fast-rising Italian star, has climbed to World No. 29 after lifting his maiden ATP trophy in Córdoba and backing it up with strong hard-court performances. Darderi receives a first-round bye and will face the winner of the match between France’s Arthur Cazaux and Japan’s Shintaro Mochizuki.
In one of the most intriguing first-round encounters, Germany’s big-serving veteran Jan-Lennard Struff, a former Monte Carlo semifinalist, takes on American counterpuncher Mackenzie McDonald. The winner will face Khachanov in round two, setting up a potential early blockbuster.
Fifth seed Brandon Nakashima opens against rising Serbian Hamad Medjedovic. Nakashima, who reached the fourth round at Wimbledon this year, faces a tricky test against Medjedovic, who is chasing his second ATP title after triumphing in Gstaad.
A compelling matchup sees Hungary’s Fabian Marozsan (No. 52) meet Italy’s Luca Nardi (No. 88). Marozsan famously upset Alcaraz in Rome 2023, while the 21-year-old Nardi represents the next wave of Italian tennis talent.
There will also be an all-Australian battle between Tristan Schoolkate and Adam Walton, with the winner earning a second-round clash against Medvedev. Both players have enjoyed breakthrough Challenger seasons in 2025.
Last year’s finalist Gabriel Diallo of Canada, seeded seventh, opens against 17-year-old wildcard Amir Omarkhanov, one of Kazakhstan’s most promising young players. Omarkhanov recently reached the semifinals of the Almaty Challenger and will make his ATP main-draw debut.
Chile’s Nicolas Jarry (No. 107) faces local wildcard Timofey Skatov, a former world junior No. 1, with the winner advancing to meet Cobolli in round two.
Adding more local interest, Serbia’s Laslo Djere (No. 82) will face Kazakhstan’s top-ranked male player Alexander Shevchenko (No. 89). Meanwhile, 24-year-old wildcard Beibit Zhukayev, known for his powerful serve and aggressive baseline play, meets sixth seed Alex Michelsen of the United States. Michelsen, just 20, has already reached two ATP finals this year and is widely regarded as one of America’s future top 20 stars.
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