ALMATY, Kazakhstan, October 23, 2026: Daniil Medvedev moved closer to defending his Almaty Open title with a 6-4, 6-4 victory over Térence Atmane on Friday, but Alexander Bublik ensured the defending champion’s next challenge would come from Kazakhstan’s own leading player. Bublik recovered to beat Karen Khachanov 4-6, 7-6(5), 7-6(5), setting up a compelling semifinal between the top seed and the hometown favorite at the ATP 250 tournament.
Stefanos Tsitsipas also advanced, defeating James Duckworth 6-3, 6-4 to arrange a semifinal against Georgian qualifier Nikoloz Basilashvili, who dismissed Adrian Mannarino 6-3, 6-1. The four quarterfinals revealed contrasting strengths: Medvedev and Tsitsipas protected their serves without facing a break point, Basilashvili controlled his match through four service breaks, and Bublik survived a contest in which he and Khachanov each won exactly 18 games. Saturday’s semifinals will test whether those differences carry into the final weekend.
Almaty Open 2026 Quarterfinal Results: Four Players Reach the Semifinals
The quarterfinal lineup produced three straight-set victories and one exceptional comeback. Medvedev, Tsitsipas and Basilashvili each advanced without losing a set, while Bublik recovered from an early deficit and won successive tiebreaks to defeat Khachanov.
The results completed a semifinal lineup featuring the defending champion, Kazakhstan’s highest-ranked player, a former world No. 3 attempting to rebuild his form and a qualifier who has already eliminated several experienced opponents.
Story at a glance
Almaty Open 2026 Quarterfinal Results: Four Players Reach the Semifinals
The quarterfinal lineup produced three straight-set victories and one exceptional comeback. Medvedev, Tsitsipas and Basilashvili each advanced without losing a set, while Bublik recovered from an early deficit and won successive tiebreaks to defeat Khachanov.
Medvedev Beats Atmane 6-4, 6-4 Without Facing a Break Point
Medvedev’s victory was built around exceptionally effective first-serve production and disciplined returning.
Bublik Beats Khachanov in Two Tiebreaks After Losing the First Set
Alexander Bublik gave the Almaty crowd the result it wanted, although the victory demanded far more work than his route to the quarterfinal might have suggested.
Tsitsipas Beats Duckworth 6-3, 6-4 With 15 Aces
Stefanos Tsitsipas delivered one of his most convincing serving performances of the season to defeat Australia’s James Duckworth 6-3, 6-4.
Basilashvili Beats Mannarino 6-3, 6-1 to Extend His Qualifying Run
Nikoloz Basilashvili has created one of the tournament’s most compelling stories.
| Winner | Opponent | Final Score | Games Won | Games Lost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Daniil Medvedev (1) | Térence Atmane | 6-4, 6-4 | 12 | 8 |
| Alexander Bublik (3) | Karen Khachanov (5) | 4-6, 7-6(5), 7-6(5) | 18 | 18 |
| Stefanos Tsitsipas (7) | James Duckworth | 6-3, 6-4 | 12 | 7 |
| Nikoloz Basilashvili (Q) | Adrian Mannarino | 6-3, 6-1 | 12 | 4 |
All four matches took place on indoor hard courts at Almaty Arena, with the semifinal round scheduled for Saturday, October 24.
Medvedev’s progress is particularly significant because he is attempting to become the first player to defend the Almaty Open title successfully since the tournament moved to the city in 2024.
He arrived with experience and a strong record at the venue. Bublik brings the motivation of playing before home supporters, while Tsitsipas and Basilashvili enter their semifinal with different reasons to value another deep tournament run.
Medvedev Beats Atmane 6-4, 6-4 Without Facing a Break Point
Medvedev’s victory was built around exceptionally effective first-serve production and disciplined returning.
The Russian won 31 of 34 points behind his first serve, an impressive 91.2% success rate, and prevented Atmane from creating a single break-point opportunity.
The Frenchman arrived with a powerful serve and an aggressive baseline game capable of challenging experienced opponents. Medvedev responded by protecting his own delivery and making better use of his chances on return.
He broke Atmane once in each set, converting two of eight break-point opportunities.
Those two breaks proved sufficient because Atmane could not establish comparable pressure on Medvedev’s serve.
The defending champion finished with five aces, three double faults and 24 winners, including 13 from his forehand.
His first-serve percentage was important because it repeatedly allowed him to begin rallies from favorable positions instead of depending on defensive exchanges to regain control.
After the match, Medvedev acknowledged the challenge of facing Atmane’s attacking style, describing his opponent’s strengths as “Big serve, big shots.”
He also highlighted the importance of finding passing shots and winners at the right moments.
The victory extended Medvedev’s winning streak at the tournament to six matches and secured his ninth semifinal appearance of 2026.
Why Medvedev’s Almaty Serving Form Matters
The 30-year-old has now won his opening two matches of this year’s tournament without losing serve.
His first victory came against Japan’s Sho Shimabukuro, whom he defeated 6-2, 6-1 in just 52 minutes.
That performance included seven aces and five breaks of serve, establishing a high standard for his title defense.
The Sports Encounter’s detailed report on Medvedev’s opening victory examined how his return positioning, serving efficiency and refusal to surrender a service game overwhelmed Shimabukuro.
Against Atmane, the winning margin narrowed, but Medvedev maintained the same underlying strength on serve.
| Measure | vs. Sho Shimabukuro | vs. Térence Atmane |
|---|---|---|
| Round | Round of 16 | Quarterfinal |
| Result | 6-2, 6-1 | 6-4, 6-4 |
| Aces | 7 | 5 |
| Double faults | 1 | 3 |
| Break points converted | 5/10 | 2/8 |
| Break points faced | 3 | 0 |
| Service games lost | 0 | 0 |
| Match duration | 52 minutes | Approximately 75 minutes |
Medvedev has won 24 games and conceded 11 through those two matches, winning approximately 68.6% of the games played.
That calculation uses 24 games won divided by 35 total games. It measures scoreboard control rather than the percentage of points he won.
The stronger conclusion comes from the service statistics. Two opponents have attempted to expose weaknesses in his delivery, but neither has successfully broken him.
Saturday’s semifinal will provide a more demanding examination against an opponent whose own serve produced 21 aces in the quarterfinals.
Bublik Beats Khachanov in Two Tiebreaks After Losing the First Set
Alexander Bublik gave the Almaty crowd the result it wanted, although the victory demanded far more work than his route to the quarterfinal might have suggested.
The Kazakh third seed recovered from losing the first set to defeat Karen Khachanov 4-6, 7-6(5), 7-6(5).
It was Bublik’s first completed singles match of the tournament.
He received a first-round bye before Hungary’s Fabian Marozsan withdrew from their scheduled second-round encounter, giving Bublik a walkover into the quarterfinals.
That unusual route meant the home favorite arrived with fewer competitive games played than his opponent.
Khachanov had already defeated Rei Sakamoto and survived a demanding three-set match against Tomáš Macháč.
The fifth seed began Friday’s contest more effectively, securing the only service break of the match to claim the opening set 6-4.
Bublik responded by protecting his delivery, repeatedly using his powerful serve to prevent Khachanov from creating further opportunities.
The second set remained on serve and moved into a tiebreak.
Bublik won it 7-5 to force a decider, giving himself another opportunity despite failing to break Khachanov’s serve.
The third set followed a similar pattern.
Neither player found the service break needed to establish separation, leaving the outcome dependent on another tiebreak.
Once again, Bublik prevailed 7-5.
He finished with 21 aces and 49 winners, producing enough attacking quality to overcome Khachanov’s resistance despite winning no return games.
The Remarkable Statistic Behind Bublik’s Comeback
Bublik and Khachanov each won exactly 18 games.
Khachanov won six games in every set. Bublik won four in the opener and seven in each of the next two.
The final tally was therefore level even though Bublik won the match.
| Set | Bublik Games | Khachanov Games | Set Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| First | 4 | 6 | Khachanov |
| Second | 7 | 6 | Bublik, 7-5 tiebreak |
| Third | 7 | 6 | Bublik, 7-5 tiebreak |
| Total | 18 | 18 | Bublik wins two sets to one |
TSE statistical discovery: The two players won the same number of games, meaning the difference in the match result came entirely from Bublik’s victories in the second- and third-set tiebreaks.
He won 14 tiebreak points across the two sets, compared with Khachanov’s 10.
The difference was four points across those decisive tiebreaks.
This is a powerful example of why total games won cannot independently explain a tennis result. A player can win the same number of games as an opponent yet still prevail through superior execution at the end of closely contested sets.
Bublik’s 21 aces also proved essential. Without that level of service protection, Khachanov could have found additional opportunities to establish control.
Why Bublik’s Victory Matters to Kazakhstan
Bublik has enjoyed an eventful 2026 campaign, reaching the ATP Top 10 earlier in the year and winning the Hong Kong title.
However, the season has also contained setbacks against opponents able to neutralize his serve and attacking variations.
During the China Open, Jakub Menšík defeated Bublik 6-4, 7-6(5), limiting his opportunities to recover once the match moved in the Czech player’s direction.
TSE’s analysis of Bublik’s Beijing defeat examined how Menšík controlled the important serving exchanges.
September brought another disappointment when Spain’s Rafael Jódar defeated Bublik 6-2, 6-3 during the Laver Cup.
Our Laver Cup report documented how Jódar repeatedly prevented Bublik from turning the match into the unpredictable attacking contest he prefers.
Against Khachanov, Bublik found a different solution.
He could not break serve, but his own delivery allowed him to stay close enough to decide the final two sets through tiebreaks.
Now he faces Medvedev, who leads their ATP head-to-head series 6-1.
The Russian’s record makes him the stronger historical favorite, although Bublik’s serving performance and home support could create a demanding semifinal.
Tsitsipas Beats Duckworth 6-3, 6-4 With 15 Aces
Stefanos Tsitsipas delivered one of his most convincing serving performances of the season to defeat Australia’s James Duckworth 6-3, 6-4.
The Greek seventh seed struck 15 aces without committing a double fault and won 92% of points behind his first serve.
Duckworth did not create a single break-point opportunity.
Tsitsipas converted two of eight break chances, taking one service game from Duckworth in each set.
That combination allowed him to control the score without becoming involved in extended exchanges on his own serve.
Duckworth had entered the quarterfinal following an impressive straight-sets upset of second seed Luciano Darderi, winning 7-5, 7-6(7).
The Australian had also defeated Miomir Kecmanović in the opening round.
Those results established Duckworth as a credible threat, particularly on an indoor surface where an effective first serve can keep sets close.
Against Tsitsipas, however, the Australian could not consistently put the Greek’s service games under pressure.
Tsitsipas’ serving rhythm allowed him to dictate more of the important points and avoid the disruption that had complicated some of his previous matches.
Tsitsipas Finds Clarity After a Difficult Period
The result continues an encouraging tournament for a player who has spent much of 2026 attempting to rebuild his consistency.
Tsitsipas opened his Almaty campaign with a demanding three-set victory over Aleksandar Kovacevic, winning 7-6(9), 3-6, 6-3.
He followed that result with a commanding 6-1, 6-2 defeat of home wildcard Mikhail Kukushkin.
His victory against Duckworth maintained the improvement, with the serving statistics providing the clearest evidence.
The Kazakhstan Tennis Federation’s official quarterfinal report confirms Tsitsipas’ 15 aces, 92% first-serve points won and the absence of break points against him.
Reflecting on his performance, Tsitsipas said, “It feels good to be back playing that type of tennis.”
He also spoke about the importance of consistency, clear thinking and maintaining a longer-term perspective on his career.
Those comments offer context for his Almaty performance.
Tsitsipas has reached major finals and previously established himself among the world’s leading players. His current ranking of No. 39 reflects how much ground he is attempting to recover.
Another semifinal appearance provides an opportunity to turn a productive tournament into a result with greater ranking and confidence implications.
Basilashvili Beats Mannarino 6-3, 6-1 to Extend His Qualifying Run
Nikoloz Basilashvili has created one of the tournament’s most compelling stories.
The Georgian entered the event through qualifying and has now reached the semifinals after defeating Adrian Mannarino 6-3, 6-1.
The former world No. 16 struck 11 aces and won 79% of his first-serve points against the Frenchman.
He converted four break-point opportunities while preventing Mannarino from creating a single break chance.
The result followed earlier victories over Marin Čilić and Facundo Díaz Acosta.
Basilashvili defeated Čilić 6-2, 7-5 in the opening round before beating Díaz Acosta 6-2, 6-4.
Those performances show that his progress has come through repeated victories over opponents with different playing styles.
Mannarino had reached the quarterfinals after eliminating fourth seed Andrey Rublev in three sets.
He therefore entered Friday’s match having already demonstrated an ability to defeat a leading seed.
Basilashvili gave him little opportunity to repeat that success.
The Georgian’s powerful baseline game repeatedly put Mannarino on the defensive, while his serving prevented the Frenchman from establishing pressure in return games.
For a player who has spent significant time outside the upper reaches of the ATP rankings, reaching an ATP semifinal from qualifying represents an important achievement.
It also adds an unpredictable element to Saturday’s lineup.
Tsitsipas arrives with stronger recent ranking credentials, but Basilashvili has reached the semifinal by combining aggressive groundstrokes with effective first-serve execution.
Who Had the Strongest Route to the Almaty Semifinals?
The four semifinalists have reached the same stage through very different paths.
Medvedev advanced efficiently after a first-round bye, while Bublik reached the quarterfinals without playing a completed match before surviving Khachanov.
Tsitsipas recovered from a difficult opening round, and Basilashvili progressed through qualifying before winning three main-draw matches.
| Player | Opening Main-Draw Result | Round of 16 | Quarterfinal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daniil Medvedev | First-round bye | Beat Shimabukuro 6-2, 6-1 | Beat Atmane 6-4, 6-4 |
| Alexander Bublik | First-round bye | Walkover against Marozsan | Beat Khachanov 4-6, 7-6(5), 7-6(5) |
| Stefanos Tsitsipas | Beat Kovacevic 7-6(9), 3-6, 6-3 | Beat Kukushkin 6-1, 6-2 | Beat Duckworth 6-3, 6-4 |
| Nikoloz Basilashvili | Beat Čilić 6-2, 7-5 | Beat Díaz Acosta 6-2, 6-4 | Beat Mannarino 6-3, 6-1 |
The route comparison reveals the different demands each player has faced.
Medvedev has maintained consistent control without losing a set. Bublik has already survived the most demanding quarterfinal, but has played only one completed singles match during the week.
Tsitsipas has recovered from a difficult opening test before producing two comprehensive victories. Basilashvili has accumulated match experience through qualifying and repeated main-draw success.
Those differences could influence the semifinals, although they do not establish which player will be physically or tactically better prepared.
Medvedev vs. Bublik: Can the Defending Champion Stop the Hometown Favorite?
The first semifinal presents a particularly intriguing contrast.
Medvedev brings a 6-1 head-to-head advantage and has yet to lose a service game during this tournament.
Bublik arrives having hit 21 aces against Khachanov and survived two decisive tiebreaks.
Their tactical approaches differ substantially.
Medvedev generally prefers to extend rallies, retrieve difficult shots and force opponents to produce repeated attacking winners.
Bublik is more comfortable changing the pace through powerful serving, aggressive returns and unpredictable shot selection.
The challenge for Bublik will be creating enough short points to prevent Medvedev from establishing his preferred baseline patterns.
For Medvedev, the key will be maintaining the service protection that has defined his first two matches while making Bublik play additional balls on return.
The Russian has already demonstrated considerable resilience during the Asian hard-court swing.
He defeated Andrey Rublev 7-5, 6-4 to win the Hangzhou Open in September, firing 23 aces in the final.
TSE’s report on Medvedev’s Hangzhou championship examined how that performance strengthened his return to title-winning form.
His subsequent tournaments brought mixed experiences.
Medvedev reached the China Open semifinals before his contest against Novak Djokovic ended prematurely.
Our Beijing semifinal analysis explored how Medvedev struggled to convert repeated break-point opportunities against Djokovic.
Shanghai then provided another deep run before Rafael Jódar defeated him 6-3, 6-4 in the semifinals.
That result formed the central story in TSE’s coverage of the Shanghai semifinal upsets.
Almaty therefore offers Medvedev another chance to convert strong recent form into a championship.
Why Defending Almaty Matters to Medvedev
Medvedev won the 2025 Almaty Open by defeating Corentin Moutet 7-5, 4-6, 6-3 in the final.
That victory ended an 882-day title drought and brought his career singles title total to 21.
He has since added further championships, including Hangzhou in September 2026, and is pursuing a 25th ATP Tour title this week.
The ATP Tour’s official report on Medvedev’s 2025 Almaty title provides the historical background to his successful return to the tournament.
His title defense now confronts an opponent playing in familiar surroundings and chasing a landmark home victory.
Continue the Tennis Story
Bublik will need to overcome the historical head-to-head disadvantage, but his performance against Khachanov demonstrates that he remains dangerous when he can protect his serve deep into sets.
Tsitsipas vs. Basilashvili: Can the Qualifier Continue His Unexpected Run?
The second semifinal presents another contest between a more established contender and an opponent attempting to seize an unexpected opportunity.
Tsitsipas has relied on increasingly effective serving throughout the tournament.
Basilashvili has combined powerful hitting with repeated success against experienced players.
Both men enter the semifinal after winning their quarterfinals without facing a break point.
That statistical similarity suggests Saturday’s contest could place considerable emphasis on the quality of their returning.
Tsitsipas will attempt to use his first serve and forehand to dictate rallies. Basilashvili will look for opportunities to attack early and prevent the Greek from settling into a comfortable rhythm.
The first major question is which player can create sustained pressure on the other’s delivery.
The second concerns how they handle the first extended spell in which their preferred attacking patterns stop producing easy points.
Tsitsipas has more experience competing deep into major tournaments, but Basilashvili has already overcome the additional demands of qualifying and several completed matches.
That makes the semifinal an important test of both players’ current form.
Almaty Open Semifinals 2026: Matchups, Rankings and Key Questions
The semifinal lineup brings together three seeded players and one qualifier.
| Semifinal | Player Rankings | Tournament Status | Key Question |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daniil Medvedev vs. Alexander Bublik | No. 5 vs. No. 19 | Seeds 1 and 3 | Can Bublik’s serving overcome Medvedev’s return game and 6-1 head-to-head advantage? |
| Stefanos Tsitsipas vs. Nikoloz Basilashvili | No. 39 vs. No. 128 | Seed 7 vs. qualifier | Can Basilashvili challenge Tsitsipas’ first-serve dominance? |
These rankings reflect the tournament’s October 23 information and should not be treated as projections of the next ATP ranking update.
The matches are scheduled for Saturday, October 24, with the final scheduled for Sunday, October 25.
The official Almaty Open draw and order of play provide the tournament’s scheduling information. Readers should check for subsequent changes before making viewing arrangements.
What Do the Results Mean for the ATP Finals Race?
Medvedev’s progress carries potential implications beyond the tournament trophy.
His recent title in Hangzhou and semifinal runs in Beijing and Shanghai have strengthened his position during the closing stages of the ATP season.
Almaty offers another opportunity to add ranking points and improve his standing in the race for the season-ending ATP Finals.
However, his qualification position depends on the current Race standings, other players’ results and the applicable eligibility arrangements.
No semifinal victory or ATP Finals qualification should be assumed before those conditions are established.
The consequences are different for Bublik, Tsitsipas and Basilashvili.
Bublik has the opportunity to compete for a significant home title and improve his standing after an uneven stretch of results.
Tsitsipas can continue rebuilding ranking momentum and confidence through consecutive victories.
Basilashvili has already exceeded the expectations commonly associated with a qualifier, although another victory would take him into an ATP final after a particularly demanding week.
These personal ambitions give both semifinals meaning beyond the immediate ranking points available.
What Happens Next at the 2026 Almaty Open?
The men’s singles semifinals take place on Saturday, October 24.
Defending champion Medvedev meets Kazakhstan’s Bublik in a contest that combines a substantial head-to-head imbalance with home-court support for the challenger.
Tsitsipas faces Basilashvili in the other semifinal, with both players attempting to convert an impressive quarterfinal serving performance into another victory.
The winners will advance to Sunday’s championship match.
For Medvedev, the opportunity is to successfully defend a tournament that played a major role in reviving his career in 2025.
For Bublik, it is the chance to challenge a familiar and difficult opponent in front of his own supporters.
For Tsitsipas and Basilashvili, Almaty offers an opportunity to turn encouraging performances into a deeper breakthrough.
Friday demonstrated how differently players can reach the same stage of a tournament. Saturday will establish which styles can withstand a stronger examination.
Almaty Open 2026: Frequently Asked Questions
Who won Daniil Medvedev vs. Térence Atmane?
Daniil Medvedev defeated Térence Atmane 6-4, 6-4 in the Almaty Open quarterfinals on October 23, 2026.
Who will Medvedev face in the Almaty semifinals?
Medvedev will face Kazakhstan’s Alexander Bublik, who recovered from a set down to defeat Karen Khachanov in the quarterfinals.
What was the Bublik vs. Khachanov result?
Alexander Bublik defeated Karen Khachanov 4-6, 7-6(5), 7-6(5), winning two successive tiebreaks.
How many aces did Bublik hit against Khachanov?
Bublik struck 21 aces during his three-set quarterfinal victory and finished with 49 winners.
Who won Stefanos Tsitsipas vs. James Duckworth?
Tsitsipas defeated Duckworth 6-3, 6-4, hitting 15 aces and winning 92% of his first-serve points.
Who is Tsitsipas playing in the semifinals?
Tsitsipas will face Georgian qualifier Nikoloz Basilashvili, who defeated Adrian Mannarino 6-3, 6-1.
Who won the 2025 Almaty Open?
Daniil Medvedev won the 2025 men’s singles championship by defeating Corentin Moutet 7-5, 4-6, 6-3.
When are the Almaty Open semifinals and final?
The semifinals are scheduled for Saturday, October 24, 2026, with the men’s singles final scheduled for Sunday, October 25.
Quarterfinal summary: Medvedev defeated Atmane 6-4, 6-4; Bublik defeated Khachanov 4-6, 7-6(5), 7-6(5); Tsitsipas defeated Duckworth 6-3, 6-4; Basilashvili defeated Mannarino 6-3, 6-1. The semifinal pairings are Medvedev vs. Bublik and Tsitsipas vs. Basilashvili.
