Atmane edges Bellucci in trio of tie-breaks to make Almaty last eight
Terence Atmane defeated Mattia Bellucci 6-7(4), 7-6(2), 7-6(5) in Almaty on Thursday, advancing to his third ATP quarterfinal. The result halted Bellucci’s strong recent stretch, which had included a 13-2 record. Atmane, who had recently apologized for his conduct in Shanghai, will next meet either top seed Daniil Medvedev or Sho Shimabukuro.
Atmane, currently No. 98, had previously reached ATP quarterfinals in Cincinnati in 2025—where he qualified and defeated Taylor Fritz and Holger Rune en route to the semifinals—and in Acapulco this year. He is the third French player to make the Almaty last eight, following Adrian Mannarino and Corentin Moutet.
Bellucci, No. 68, had just beaten sixth seed Tomas Martin Etcheverry in three sets and arrived with a 13-2 record across levels, including a Jinan Challenger title the previous week. He was seeking a season-best 13th tour-level victory.
Atmane’s win and public apology may shape how fans and players discuss on-court conduct and mental strain, especially after his Shanghai incident. His quarterfinal run could raise interest in French tennis and the Almaty tournament, while Bellucci’s loss may slow his ranking momentum. Sponsors and tournament organizers may also weigh how such narratives affect audience attention.