Almaty Open: Tsitsipas beats Kovacevic 7-6, 3-6, 6-3 to reach Round 2
Synopsis
Tsitsipas saved three set points in the first-set tie-break and rallied past Kovacevic in a two-hour battle at the Almaty Open, improving to 35-22 for a season that has seen 18 wins since his Gstaad title run began in mid-July. Next up: an emotionally charged match against Mikhail Kukushkin, who is playing the final event of his career.
Key Takeaways
Stefanos Tsitsipas defeated Aleksandar Kovacevic 7-6(9), 3-6, 6-3 at the Almaty Open on 20 October .
Tsitsipas saved three set points in the first-set tie-break to take the opener 9-7 .
The 13-time ATP Tour champion is now 35-22 for the season, with 18 wins since mid-July.
His next opponent is home wild card Mikhail Kukushkin , aged 38 , who is playing his final professional event; Tsitsipas leads their head-to-head 4-0 .
Karen Khachanov and top seed Daniil Medvedev also advanced to the second round on Tuesday.
Greek tennis star Stefanos Tsitsipas rallied from a tricky first-set tie-break to defeat Aleksandar Kovacevic 7-6(9), 3-6, 6-3 in the opening round of the Almaty Open on Tuesday, 20 October, extending his impressive late-season form at the indoor ATP 250 event in Kazakhstan. The two-hour contest was a rematch of a Winston-Salem clash in August, which Kovacevic had won.
Key Moments in the Match
The crucial passage of play came in the first-set tie-break, where Tsitsipas saved three set points before eventually clinching it 9-7. Kovacevic, who, like Tsitsipas, employs a one-handed backhand, made the Greek work hard on serve, keeping the match competitive throughout. Tsitsipas dropped the second set convincingly but regrouped to take the decider 6-3 and seal his place in the next round.
'My persistence,' Tsitsipas said when asked about the key to his win. 'I was trying to stay in the match and just be patient. He was serving exceptionally well today; it was really frustrating being on the other side of the court having to return. It wasn't an easy match. He's been serving like that even in our previous encounter.'
Tsitsipas was also generous in his praise for his opponent. 'I feel like he's been very consistent and, in my opinion, he improved a lot in the past couple of months. Very unlikely to be playing each other in the first round, but I really wish him the best. He's a great player, and I'm a big fan of his game,' he said, according to the ATP Tour.
Tsitsipas's Late-Season Revival
The 13-time ATP Tour champion and former world No. 3 now stands at 35-22 for the season, according to the Infosys ATP Win/Loss Index. Notably, 18 of those wins have come since mid-July, when Tsitsipas began a resurgent run with a title at Gstaad. The Almaty campaign is part of a concerted push to close out the season on a high.
What's Next for Tsitsipas
Tsitsipas's second-round opponent will be Mikhail Kukushkin, a home wild card playing the final tournament of his professional career before retirement. The 38-year-old Kukushkin trails Tsitsipas 4-0 in their career ATP head-to-head, though the emotional weight of a farewell match on home soil could add an unpredictable edge to the contest.
Other First-Round Results in Almaty
Former top-10 player and 2024 Almaty champion Karen Khachanov advanced as the fifth seed with a commanding 6-2, 6-4 win over Rei Sakamoto, setting up a second-round meeting with Tomas Machac or wild card Zangar Nurlanuly. Top seed and defending champion Daniil Medvedev will face Sho Shimabukuro, after the Japanese world No. 109 came through a three-set battle against Roman Safiullin — 6-7(4), 6-4, 6-4. Frenchman Terence Atmane also progressed, defeating Rinky Hijikata 7-6(5), 6-2, while Hungarian Fabian Marozsan beat home favourite Timofey Skatov 7-5, 7-6(4) to face third seed Alexander Bublik next. The Almaty field also features 2023 winner Adrian Mannarino, making it a draw packed with former champions.
Point of View
Even if the ATP 250 circuit is not the sternest test. The real subplot here is Kukushkin's farewell: a veteran's final match on home soil rarely goes by the script, and Tsitsipas's 4-0 head-to-head advantage may count for less than the crowd's emotional pull in that second-round encounter.
NationPress
21 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the score in Tsitsipas vs Kovacevic at the Almaty Open?
Stefanos Tsitsipas defeated Aleksandar Kovacevic 7-6(9), 3-6, 6-3 in the first round of the Almaty Open on 20 October. The match lasted approximately two hours.
Who does Tsitsipas play next at the Almaty Open 2026?
Tsitsipas will face home wild card Mikhail Kukushkin in the second round. The match is particularly noteworthy as it is the final professional event of Kukushkin's career; Tsitsipas leads their ATP head-to-head 4-0.
How has Tsitsipas performed this season?
Tsitsipas stands at 35-22 for the season, according to the Infosys ATP Win/Loss Index. Eighteen of those wins have come since mid-July, beginning with a title run at Gstaad.
Who are the former champions in the 2026 Almaty Open draw?
Three former Almaty champions are in the field: defending champion Daniil Medvedev, 2024 winner Karen Khachanov, and 2023 winner Adrian Mannarino.
What did Tsitsipas say about Kovacevic after the match?
Tsitsipas credited patience and persistence as the keys to his win, and praised Kovacevic's serving, calling him 'a great player' who has 'improved a lot in the past couple of months', according to the ATP Tour.
