The ATP 250 Astana Open returns for a second instalment and the Kazakh capital will host another stellar line-up in Nur-Sultan
Alex Sharp
The ATP 250 Astana Open returns for a second instalment and the Kazakh capital will host another stellar line-up in Nur-Sultan. A quick glance down the draw sheet and you come across Grand Slam pedigree, local talent and emerging stars. Australian Open semi-finalist Aslan Karatsev leads the title charge as the top seed.
The world No.25, champion in Dubai earlier this season, opens his account in the second round against either 2020 Astana Open semi-finalist Emil Ruusuvuori or the in-form Frenchman Benjamin Bonzi. Further down the track, Karatsev could meet the resurgent Andreas Seppi, who recently reached the US Open last 32. Seppi must overcome local wild card Timofey Skatov at the first hurdle. Winston-Salem Open champion Ilya Ivashka, drawn to face a qualifier, also lands in Karatsev’s quarter of the draw.
Home hopes will be boosted by the gregarious Alexander Bublik arriving as the No.2 seed in the bottom half. The world No.34 will look to bring his vast repertoire of shot-making to the court to tackle either Spanish veteran Fernando Verdasco or Miomir Kecmanovic in the second round. Look out for a possible quarter-final between Bublik and flamboyant Frenchman Benoit Paire. The No.6 seed will duel with Belarusian Egor Gerasimov in the opening round. Back to the top half of the draw and reigning champion John Millman will be seeking another deep run in Nur-Sultan. A qualifier will look to halt the Australian in a quarter of the draw including world No.37 Filip Krajinovic and Kazakh stalwart Mikhail Kukushkin.
Millman’s title defence is projected to come under threat in the semi-finals with Karatsev a possible opponent for a compelling final-four clash. No.3 seed Dusan Lajovic lands in the third quarter alongside compatriot Laslo Djere and Next Gen sensation Lorenzo Musetti.
The main draw of the Astana Open begins on Monday 20th September.
Projected quarter-finals:
Karatsev (1) vs Ivashka (8)
Krajinovic (4) vs Millman (5)
Djere (7) vs Lajovic (3)
Paire (6) vs Bublik (2)
The ATP 250 Astana Open returns for a second instalment and the Kazakh capital will host another stellar line-up in Nur-Sultan. A quick glance down the draw sheet and you come across Grand Slam pedigree, local talent and emerging stars. Australian Open semi-finalist Aslan Karatsev leads the title charge as the top seed.
The world No.25, champion in Dubai earlier this season, opens his account in the second round against either 2020 Astana Open semi-finalist Emil Ruusuvuori or the in-form Frenchman Benjamin Bonzi. Further down the track, Karatsev could meet the resurgent Andreas Seppi, who recently reached the US Open last 32. Seppi must overcome local wild card Timofey Skatov at the first hurdle. Winston-Salem Open champion Ilya Ivashka, drawn to face a qualifier, also lands in Karatsev’s quarter of the draw.
Home hopes will be boosted by the gregarious Alexander Bublik arriving as the No.2 seed in the bottom half. The world No.34 will look to bring his vast repertoire of shot-making to the court to tackle either Spanish veteran Fernando Verdasco or Miomir Kecmanovic in the second round. Look out for a possible quarter-final between Bublik and flamboyant Frenchman Benoit Paire. The No.6 seed will duel with Belarusian Egor Gerasimov in the opening round. Back to the top half of the draw and reigning champion John Millman will be seeking another deep run in Nur-Sultan. A qualifier will look to halt the Australian in a quarter of the draw including world No.37 Filip Krajinovic and Kazakh stalwart Mikhail Kukushkin.
Millman’s title defence is projected to come under threat in the semi-finals with Karatsev a possible opponent for a compelling final-four clash. No.3 seed Dusan Lajovic lands in the third quarter alongside compatriot Laslo Djere and Next Gen sensation Lorenzo Musetti.
The main draw of the Astana Open begins on Monday 20th September.
Projected quarter-finals:
Karatsev (1) vs Ivashka (8)
Krajinovic (4) vs Millman (5)
Djere (7) vs Lajovic (3)
Paire (6) vs Bublik (2)
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