Medvedev into Almaty Open semis in title defence; Tsitsipas through too
Synopsis
Medvedev is two wins away from a fourth hard-court title in 2026 and a stronger grip on ATP Finals qualification — and with Sinner out of the season, only nine spots are up for grabs in Turin. His 91% first-serve points won against Atmane underlines why he remains the surface's most dangerous defender.
Key Takeaways
Daniil Medvedev beat Terence Atmane 6-4, 6-4 to reach the Almaty Open semifinals on 23 October 2026 .
Medvedev won 91% of first-serve points ( 31 of 34 ) and struck 24 winners .
Stefanos Tsitsipas defeated James Duckworth 6-3, 6-4 — his first hard-court semifinal since February 2025 .
Medvedev has won all three of his 2026 titles on hard courts: Brisbane , Dubai , and Hangzhou .
He sits sixth in the ATP Race to Turin with 3,520 points , 640 points clear of Alex de Minaur in 10th.
With Jannik Sinner out for the season, the ninth-placed player in the Race to Turin earns a spot at the ATP Finals.
Daniil Medvedev kept his Almaty Open title defence firmly on track on Friday, 23 October, defeating France's Terence Atmane 6-4, 6-4 in the quarterfinals of the ATP 250 event in Almaty, Kazakhstan. Stefanos Tsitsipas also advanced to the last four, setting up a compelling semifinal stage at the tournament.
Medvedev Dominates With Serve and Depth
The World No. 5 was clinical throughout, using the full depth of the court to neutralise Atmane's big-hitting game. Medvedev won an exceptional 91% of his first-serve points, translating to 31 of 34 points won on the first serve. He broke Atmane's serve twice while keeping his own intact and struck 24 winners to his opponent's 14.
'It is not easy to play against Terence,' Medvedev said after the victory. 'Big serve, big shots. I had to stay in the match and found some good passing shots and good winners.'
Tsitsipas Marks Hard-Court Return to the Semis
Stefanos Tsitsipas was equally efficient, brushing aside Australia's James Duckworth 6-3, 6-4 in his quarterfinal. Notably, this marks Tsitsipas' first semifinal appearance on hard courts since February 2025 — a significant milestone as the Greek star seeks to recapture his best form on the surface. He will face Georgian qualifier Nikoloz Basilashvili next, who eliminated Adrian Mannarino 6-3, 6-1 in his quarterfinal. Tsitsipas is chasing his second ATP title of the season.
Medvedev's Hard-Court Dominance This Season
Medvedev's run in Almaty is part of a remarkable hard-court streak in 2026. All three of his titles this season — in Brisbane, Dubai, and Hangzhou — have come on the hard surface. A fourth would further cement his status as the tour's premier hard-court performer in the current cycle. He is set to face either third seed Alexander Bublik or fifth seed Karen Khachanov in the semifinals.
ATP Finals Race: Medvedev Closes the Gap
Beyond the immediate result, Medvedev's progress has significant implications for the ATP Finals qualification race. He currently sits sixth in the ATP Live Race to Turin with 3,520 points, holding a 640-point cushion over 10th-placed Alex de Minaur. Crucially, with Jannik Sinner sidelined for the remainder of the season, only nine players — rather than the usual eight — are required to fill the year-end Finals draw, meaning the ninth-placed player in the Race to Turin will earn a berth in Turin. This rule adjustment makes Medvedev's current positioning all the more valuable with the season nearing its close.
Point of View
And a fourth hard-court title in Almaty would effectively lock Medvedev into Turin. The more intriguing question is Tsitsipas: his first hard-court semifinal in nearly nine months signals a potential resurgence, but Basilashvili on a good day is a different proposition than the seeded opponents Tsitsipas has navigated so far.
NationPress
23 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the score in Medvedev's Almaty Open quarterfinal?
Medvedev defeated France's Terence Atmane 6-4, 6-4 in the quarterfinals of the Almaty Open on 23 October 2026. He was dominant on serve, winning 91% of first-serve points.
Who does Medvedev face in the Almaty Open semifinals?
Medvedev will face either third seed Alexander Bublik or fifth seed Karen Khachanov in the Almaty Open semifinals. The winner of that clash will contest the final.
Why is the Almaty Open important for Medvedev's ATP Finals chances?
Medvedev sits sixth in the ATP Live Race to Turin with 3,520 points, holding a 640-point lead over 10th-placed Alex de Minaur. With Jannik Sinner out for the season, the ninth-placed player earns a Finals berth, making Medvedev's current position highly secure but still worth defending.
What is Tsitsipas' significance at the Almaty Open 2026?
Tsitsipas reached his first hard-court semifinal since February 2025 by beating James Duckworth 6-3, 6-4. He is chasing his second ATP title of the season and will face Georgian qualifier Nikoloz Basilashvili in the last four.
How many hard-court titles has Medvedev won in 2026?
Medvedev has won three hard-court titles in 2026 — at Brisbane, Dubai, and Hangzhou. An Almaty title would be his fourth hard-court crown of the season.
