Blanchet, Topo and Two Aussies Reach Main Draw in Almaty
At the age of 26, France’s Ugo Blanchet is enjoying his best year as a pro. Since May the world No.151 has qualified for Roland-Garros and the US Open as well as Masters events in Canada and Shanghai. On Sunday he added the Almaty Open to his list with a 7-5, 6-2 victory over Australia’s Rinky Hijikata.
Blanchet broke the second seed’s serve four times from five opportunities as he rolled to victory in 70 minutes to take his place in the main draw. He dropped just 11 points on serve and won nine of ten service games to secure safe passage.
The Frenchman, who reached the third round at the US Open with wins over Fabian Marozsan and Jakub Mensik, is set for his Almaty debut.
Germany’s Marko Topo has risen over 100 spots in the rankings since January, and the 22-year-old will be looking to continue his rise in the main draw after defeating France’s Titouan Droguet 6-4, 3-6, 7-6(5) on Sunday.
The world No.270 withstood 16 aces from his opponent, and saved six of seven break points as he claimed victory in two hours and two minutes. Topo will be bidding for his first ATP main draw victory this week.
Aussies Make Their Mark
Bernard Tomic made his first big impression on tour in 2011 when he reached the Wimbledon quarterfinals as an 18-year-old. Five years later the talented Aussie would find himself in the Top 20, and he’d reach the second week at five additional majors.
He may have fallen off the radar for a while, but the 32-year-old former world No.17 has been tireless on tour in 2025, playing over 70 matches across all levels, and winning 40 of them.
On Sunday the Aussie fought off a brilliant serving performance by Swiss southpaw Marc-Andrea Huesler to win 3-6, 7-6(3), 7-6(6).
«He's such a tough player,» 168th-ranked Tomic said of Huesler after his win. «One of the best serves in the world. There was nothing to do but to stay composed and believe.»
Tomic saved all four break points he faced against the former world No.47, then saved a match point late in the tiebreaker before prevailing to reach his second ATP main draw of the season.
The final of four qualifying spots was claimed by Australia’s James Duckworth, who took out home hope Mikhail Kukushkin, 6-4, 4-6, 7-5. The world No.103 was the highest-ranked player to enter the qualifying tournament.
Blanchet broke the second seed’s serve four times from five opportunities as he rolled to victory in 70 minutes to take his place in the main draw. He dropped just 11 points on serve and won nine of ten service games to secure safe passage.
The Frenchman, who reached the third round at the US Open with wins over Fabian Marozsan and Jakub Mensik, is set for his Almaty debut.
Germany’s Marko Topo has risen over 100 spots in the rankings since January, and the 22-year-old will be looking to continue his rise in the main draw after defeating France’s Titouan Droguet 6-4, 3-6, 7-6(5) on Sunday.
The world No.270 withstood 16 aces from his opponent, and saved six of seven break points as he claimed victory in two hours and two minutes. Topo will be bidding for his first ATP main draw victory this week.
Aussies Make Their Mark
Bernard Tomic made his first big impression on tour in 2011 when he reached the Wimbledon quarterfinals as an 18-year-old. Five years later the talented Aussie would find himself in the Top 20, and he’d reach the second week at five additional majors.
He may have fallen off the radar for a while, but the 32-year-old former world No.17 has been tireless on tour in 2025, playing over 70 matches across all levels, and winning 40 of them.
On Sunday the Aussie fought off a brilliant serving performance by Swiss southpaw Marc-Andrea Huesler to win 3-6, 7-6(3), 7-6(6).
«He's such a tough player,» 168th-ranked Tomic said of Huesler after his win. «One of the best serves in the world. There was nothing to do but to stay composed and believe.»
Tomic saved all four break points he faced against the former world No.47, then saved a match point late in the tiebreaker before prevailing to reach his second ATP main draw of the season.
The final of four qualifying spots was claimed by Australia’s James Duckworth, who took out home hope Mikhail Kukushkin, 6-4, 4-6, 7-5. The world No.103 was the highest-ranked player to enter the qualifying tournament.
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14.11.2025
KTF press-service
