Tsitsipas and Basilashvili reach Almaty semis after two-set victories
Stefanos Tsitsipas defeated James Duckworth 6-3, 6-4 in the Almaty quarter-finals, while qualifier Nikoloz Basilashvili beat Adrian Mannarino 6-3, 6-1. Tsitsipas said greater calm and clarity have helped him stay focused, and Basilashvili is nearing a return to the top 100. The two will meet in the semi-finals.
Tsitsipas, seeded seventh and ranked 39th, is pursuing a place among the Australian Open seeds. Duckworth, No. 73, had eliminated second-seeded Luciano Darderi before losing; Tsitsipas saved his best for the key moments and closed out on his first opportunity.
Basilashvili, a qualifier at No. 128, became the first Georgian to win a match at this tournament. His live ranking of No. 109 leaves him close to the top 100 and Australian Open main-draw entry. He had not beaten Mannarino since 2017; Mannarino arrived after three-set wins over Vukic and Rublev. Tsitsipas leads their head-to-head 3-1.
This result may matter most to tennis fans in Greece and Georgia, who could see a familiar star and a resurgent qualifier on a modest ATP stage. Tsitsipas’s pursuit of Australian Open seeding may affect tournament pathways and media attention, while Basilashvili’s near-return to the top 100 could inspire lower-ranked players and draw more Georgian interest. For Almaty, organizers may benefit from increased visibility, though the broader social effect is likely limited to sports audiences.