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Almaty Open ATP ATP 250

Khachanov visits autism center and helps launch KTF complex ahead of Almaty defense

Khachanov visits autism center, helps launch KTF complex as he returns to defend Almaty title Monday

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Karen Khachanov combined on-court preparation with community work in the days before he defends his Almaty crown. The world No. 10, seeded top at Kazakhstan’s biggest tournament, was involved in two local initiatives after returning to the city where he won last year to capture his seventh ATP title.

On Monday Khachanov joined Daniil Medvedev, Flavio Cobolli, Alexander Shevchenko and Beibit Zhukayev to open the Kazakhstan Tennis Federation’s new International Tennis Complex in the Alatau district. The project is the latest of 39 facilities KTF has supported since 2007, and private investments by KTF to grow the sport locally have exceeded $200 million over the past 18 years.

The following day Khachanov toured the Asyl Miras Autism Center with Fabian Marozsan. They played developmental and drawing games with children, handed out gifts and spoke with teachers and parents. Khachanov praised the Bulat Utemuratov Foundation after visiting one of the organization’s 13 centers in 12 cities.

“In Kazakhstan, there are schools and education programs, but not really specialized ones for these children. That’s why this initiative is so important,” Khachanov told TENNIS.com. According to the foundation, “The centers implement six evidence-based programs focused on developing speech, social, and learning skills.” The 29-year-old spoke about his family as part of his motivation to take part.

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“I’m a father myself. I love kids in general. So if I can spend a little time with them and maybe inspire them in some small way, that’s something special for me,” he said. “Children with autism have different needs and stages of development, and I think it’s important not to separate them, but to help them integrate and socialize with others. That’s great not just for them, but for society in general—and not only here in Kazakhstan, but everywhere in the world.”

On court, Khachanov arrives after a season that saw him climb back inside the Top 10, including a runner-up finish in Toronto and a second Wimbledon quarterfinal appearance, and he concluded 2024 inside the Top 20 following a Vienna final and Paris Masters semifinal. In his return to the Almaty Arena he will face the winner of Jan-Lennard Struff and Mackenzie McDonald. The world No. 10 begins a week featuring three ATP 250 tournaments at No. 17 in the Race to Turin. Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner have already secured ATP Finals berths.

Almaty Open ATP ATP 250

Medvedev ends 882-day title drought at Almaty, dedicates win to daughter Victoria

Medvedev ended an 882-day title drought at the Almaty Open, dedicating the win to daughter Victoria.

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Daniil Medvedev ended an 882-day wait for a trophy by defeating Corentin Moutet in the Almaty Open final. The second seed closed out a 7-5, 4-6, 6-3 victory to claim his 21st career title while his family looked on.

The moment carried personal meaning. Medvedev celebrated on court with his youngest daughter Victoria, older daughter Alisa and his mother Daria. During the trophy ceremony he dedicated the title to his younger daughter and reflected on the family milestone. “It’s the first time I’m at a tournament with my two daughters together, so to get a title is really nice,” he said. “This title is in honor of my second daughter, Victoria, because the first title I got when my first daughter Alisa was born was for her. So this one’s for Victoria.”

Both Medvedev and Moutet were presented a chapan, a traditional Kazakh robe offered as a sign of honor, respect and hospitality. The presentation underscored the local appreciation shown to the finalists.

At 29 years old, Medvedev added another line to an unusual streak. The victory continued a run that began at the January 2018 Sydney International, leaving him with 21 titles from 21 different cities on the ATP Tour. The week’s success also moved him up two places to No. 13 in the race to the ATP Finals.

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The win ended a drought that stretched back to May 2023 and supplied a distinctly family-focused narrative to the Almaty trophy ceremony. Photographs captured the presentation and a family portrait that Medvedev described as especially meaningful. The match result finished the tournament with the second seed reclaiming a place in the winner’s circle.

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Almaty Open ATP ATP 250

Medvedev ends long title drought with Almaty win, now 21 titles in 21 cities

Medvedev ended a 29-month title drought in Almaty, reaching 21 career titles in 21 cities. Now 2025.

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Daniil Medvedev captured the Almaty title on Sunday, securing his first ATP trophy in nearly two and a half years since Rome in May of 2023. He defeated Corentin Moutet in the final, 7-5, 4-6, 6-3, to claim his first title of the 2025 season at the indoor event.

The victory followed a difficult summer that included a first-round exit at the US Open. Medvedev rebounded to reach the quarterfinals in Hangzhou and then back-to-back semifinals in Beijing and Shanghai before arriving in Almaty and lifting the trophy.

“It feels great,” Medvedev said afterwards. “I was not super happy with the way I played in some moments of the match, but to win feels amazing, and it means in the most important points of the match I managed to play good. The last game was actually incredible.

“I’m happy to win the title—it continues my funny story of 21 different titles in 21 different cities, so I’m happy about it.”

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Medvedev has now collected 21 career titles in 21 different cities. Those wins span 17 countries: four in the United States (Cincinnati, Miami, US Open and Winston-Salem), two in France (Marseille and Paris) and one each in Australia (Sydney), Austria (Vienna), Bulgaria (Sofia), Canada (Toronto), China (Shanghai), Italy (Rome), Japan (Tokyo), Mexico (Los Cabos), the Netherlands (Rotterdam), Qatar (Doha), Russia (St. Petersburg), Spain (Mallorca), the UAE (Dubai) and the UK (ATP Finals).

The 21 titles are also distributed across four continents: nine in Europe, six in North America, five in Asia and one in Australia.

Medvedev will play two more indoor events next: the ATP 500 in Vienna and the Masters 1000 in Paris. A win in either would break the pattern, since he has already triumphed at Paris in 2020 and Vienna in 2022. If he qualifies for the ATP Finals in Turin, that event would add a new city; he has previously won the ATP Finals in 2020 when it was held at the O2 in London.

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Cobolli Eyes Davis Cup Place as He Regains Form in Almaty

Cobolli seeks Davis Cup selection after regaining form in Almaty aiming to finish the season strong.

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The ATP Tour’s self-styled “admin” has found a clearer groove in Almaty after a testing stretch of the season.

Flavio Cobolli arrived following a run of poor results and a retirement at the US Open with Lorenzo Musetti. “I didn’t enjoy so much the last three, four weeks. It was a tough year. The calendar is very full,” he said. He added that he adjusted his approach upon arrival: “I practice a lot and I came here with another attitude. I’m trying to have more smiles on the court.”

The third seed opened his Almaty campaign with a 6-4, 7-5 victory over Rinky Hijikata, a match he regarded as one of his best on hard courts this year. “I knew that Rinky was a tough opponent, so I try to be focused since the beginning and with a great attitude and great spirit. I played one of my best tennis matches on the hard court this year,” he said. “I think I served my best game on the season, good percentage. I really enjoyed that match.”

Cobolli’s 2025 began with two wins at the United Cup but also included a seven-match losing streak and an early-season niggle that dented his confidence. He reflected on the difficulty of his second year on tour. “It was unexpected because I started the year not so good with a bit of an injury. I was a little bit lost as well. It’s not easy to play the second year on the tour,” he said. “You have to confirm everything about your progress, your results, so it’s not easy to start the second season very well. I changed my focus, my mind. I start to not think about the result. I start to have fun on the court. I practice more than before and I took many results, not only about the points and money, but also about myself.”

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Outside the lines, Cobolli has embraced the touring role given to him by the ATP, and he hopes it continues. “I try to have a great relationship with everyone on the tour. I think I make people happy. I try to be also with the fans like this,” he said. “We did this crazy thing with the admin, but it’s fun and I enjoy a lot. … I really enjoyed it. I hope I can continue and no one takes my place.”

With the season still to play, he is targeting selection for November’s Davis Cup Finals in Bologna. “I’m trying to be one of the five at the Davis Cup. That’s been a good dream for me. I really want to have the chance.”

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