Cobolli, Michelsen Set to Debut on Day 3 in Almaty

First-round action continues and second-round action kicks off on a busy Wednesday at the Almaty Arena.
 
Here’s a look at the seven singles matches scheduled for Day 3.
 
Arthur Cazaux vs Shintaro Mochizuki
Head-to-Head: First meeting
 
Arthur Cazaux is dangerous when he’s in form, and the Frenchman could be hitting his stride this week in Almaty. He claimed the title at the Jinan, China challenger last week, and enters the main draw at a career-high ranking of No.58.
 
The 23-year-old will take on 102-ranked Shintaro Mochizuki of Japan, a 22-year-old former junior No.1 who is also playing at a career-high ranking.
 
[6] Alex Michelsen vs Beibit Zhukayev
Head-to-Head: First meeting
 
Local fans will be backing 25-year-old wild card Zhukayev (ranked No.237) in Wednesday’s second match on Center Court. Zhukayev was a breakthrough quarterfinalist here last year. Sixth-seeded Michelsen, 21, makes his tournament debut.
 
[8] Corentin Moutet vs Alexander Shevchenko (second round)
Head-to-Head: Moutet leads 1-0 (3-0 across all levels)
 
Moutet has already become a crowd favorite after his electric victory over Bernard Tomic on Monday, which featured intense rallies and jaw-dropping shotmaking. The Frenchman will bid for a quarterfinal spot against Alexander Shevchenko.
 
«He’s a tricky opponent, and he’s playing some great tennis lately,» Shevchenko said of Moutet after his victory over Laslo Djere on Tuesday evening. «I’m down against him – I need to take some revenge – if the crowd supports me like this, anything can happen.»
 
[5] Brandon Nakashima vs Fabian Marozsan (second round)
Head-to-Head:
 
The night session features fifth-seeded Brandon Nakashima, who was impressive in his first-round takedown of Serbia’s Hamad Medjedovic on Tuesday, and hard-serving Hungarian Fabian Marozsan. The pair have never faced each other before. Both won in straight sets in the first round.
 
Court 1
 
Jan-Lennard Struff vs Mackenzie McDonald
Head-to-Head: Struff leads, 1-0
 
35-year-old Jan-Lennard Struff is the oldest player left in the draw and he’ll look for his second win of the season against American Mackenzie McDonald on Wednesday. Struff took out McDonald in the first-round at this year’s US Open, and went on to reach the round of 16. Former world No.37 McDonald has slumped to No.99 in the world, but he hopes to build on momentum gained from reaching the Jinan, China challenger last week.
 
[7] Gabriel Diallo vs [Q] James Duckworth (second round)
Head-to-Head: 1-0 Diallo (qualifying match at Canada Masters in 2022)
 
Last year’s runner-up Gabriel Diallo looked devastating in his first-round win over Kazakh teen Amir Omarkhanov. The Canadian will look to put the pressure on Australian qualifier James Duckworth with his power serving and aggressive net game.
 
33-year-old Duckworth, ranked 138, is one of four Aussies into the second round in Almaty.
 
[3] Flavio Cobolli vs [LL] Rinky Hijikata
Head-to-Head: Cobolli leads, 1-0
 
Italy’s Flavio Cobolli is the highest-ranked player in action on Day 3. The 23-year-old Italian will look to remain perfect against Australia’s Rinky Hijikata, whom he defeated at Wimbledon in four sets in 2024, as he makes his Almaty debut.