Stefanos Tsitsipas and Nikoloz Basilashvili moved into the semifinals of the Almaty Open on Friday, with both men producing straight-set wins at a stage of the tournament where confidence matters just as much as level. Tsitsipas beat James Duckworth 6-3, 6-4, while Basilashvili defeated Adrian Mannarino 6-3, 6-1.
For Tsitsipas, the result keeps him on course in his chase for a seeding at the Australian Open. For Basilashvili, it pushes him up to No. 109 in the live rankings, putting him close to the top 100 and a place in the Australian Open main draw.
Tsitsipas: clarity is making the difference
Tsitsipas arrived in Almaty after a run that has suggested he is finding a more settled rhythm again, and his post-match comments made clear why. He said it feels good to be back playing that type of tennis, and that having things clear in his mind has removed doubts from his game.
He also made a broader point about the sport itself, saying tennis is not necessarily complicated and that players often make it more difficult than it needs to be. The most important part of his message, though, was about balance. He said he has a lot of peace in his life, and that peace helps him stay completely focused and wired in his job.
That is the sort of framing that fits a player who is trying to turn form into something more concrete. In a week where the draw has already seen Duckworth knock out No. 2 seed Luciano Darderi, Tsitsipas has handled his business cleanly enough to stay in control of his own path.
Basilashvili keeps rebuilding momentum
Basilashvili’s win over Mannarino was equally significant, not just because it sent him through, but because it backed up the recent signs of progress in his game. He said he managed the tension in his body very well, did not get tight or nervous, and served well throughout the match.
That matters because his recent record has already hinted that he is getting back to a higher level. Earlier in the tournament, Mannarino had beaten Aleksandar Vukic and No. 4 seed Andrey Rublev in three-set matches, so Basilashvili’s straight-set win stands out even more. It also comes after he reached the semifinals in Chengdu and had retired against Mannarino in Shanghai while trailing 6-3, 2-2.
Basilashvili said he believes in himself in general because he has played very well in his career, but added that he now has that confidence back again because of the number of matches he has already won. At No. 109 in the live rankings, that belief is starting to show up in the standings as well.
What comes next
The semifinal line-up now has a clear headline: Tsitsipas and Basilashvili have both found a way through, and both are doing so with something tangible at stake. For Tsitsipas, the prize is closer Australian Open security. For Basilashvili, it is the possibility of moving back inside the top 100 and into the main draw picture.
In a tournament where momentum has already shifted several times, Friday’s results suggest both men are arriving at the right moment.
