The sixth edition of the ATP Almaty Open enters its second day with four encounters featuring players meeting for the first time, including two home favourites, Alexander Shevchenko and Timofey Skatov, so there should be plenty of entertainment for the fans on day two. As always, we offer our previews and predictions. But who will advance?
ATP Almaty Day 2 Predictions
Adam Walton vs Tristan Schoolkate
Head–to–Head: First Meeting
Both Australian players had a lacklustre Asian swing, both on the main tour and in the Challenger circuits they switched to. Interestingly, the highlights of their season were in Los Cabos, where Schoolkate reached the quarterfinal and Walton the semifinal.
This will mark their first ATP encounter, although they have faced each other seven times before at the qualifying or Challenger levels. Schoolkate currently leads their head-to-head rivalry 4-3 and has claimed victory in their last three meetings, including during Miami Open qualifying this year. This will be another tightly contested encounter that could swing either way, but I’ll take a stab at the younger Aussie to go through.
Prediction: Schoolkate in 3
Aleksandar Vukic vs Marko Topo
Head–to–Head:  First Meeting
Marko Topo is set to make his ATP main draw debut this season after successfully winning both of his qualifying matches. The 277th-ranked German is primarily active on the ITF circuit, with two titles to his name, and has also reached the semi-finals in Heilbronn on the Challenger Tour.
His opponent, Aleksandar Vukic, had a brilliant quarterfinal run in Tokyo but has won just once in three matches since then. Still, he should have too much for the debutant who won’t go away easily.
Prediction: Vukic in 3
Nicolas Jarry vs Timofey Skatov
Head–to–Head: First Meeting
Nicolas Jarry hasn’t won a match since his fourth-round exit at Wimbledon to return to his pre-SW19 performance. He is without a victory in his last six matches overall, losing in the opening round of six consecutive events he participated in, including at Flushing Meadows.
Timofey Skatov is also in urgent need of a win, having lost his last five matches. His recent victory was in the final of the Todi Challenger in mid-August, where he defeated home favourite Stefano Travaglia in three sets.
This will be their first main draw encounter, though they previously met in the 2023 Australian Open qualifying, where Jarry rallied from a set down to claim victory. Another coin toss between two struggling players, but the Chilean with the bigger serve can edge this.
Prediction: Jarry in 3
Laslo Djere vs Alexander Shevchenko
Head–to–Head: First Meeting
Laslo Djere’s struggle with form continued on the Challenger Tour when he was defeated by Coleman Wong in Jinan, marking his fifth consecutive defeat. The Serbian also suffered an injury that sidelined him for two months. Still, his level of play has noticeably declined since his successful clay court season, which included a title win in Santiago.
He is set to face Alexander Shevchenko, who is competing in his home event. Shevchenko experienced a heavy defeat against Yoshihito Nishioka in the first round of Shanghai; however, he had a much stronger showing in Chengdu, where he triumphed over notable opponents like Gael Monfils and Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard to reach the semi-finals, ultimately losing to top seed Lorenzo Musetti.
Shevchenko is in slightly better form than Djere and will benefit from local support in this matchup. Also, he has lost three consecutive matches since April.
Prediction: Shevchenko in 3
Brandon Nakashima vs Hamad Medjedovic
Head–to–Head: Nakashima 0 – 1 Medjedovic
Brandon Nakashima has several positives to reflect on from the Asian swing of the ATP season, mirroring a year of remarkable consistency on the tour, achieving three semi-final finishes and five quarter-finals.
Hamad Medjedovic will face him in Almaty. The Serb was unable to claim a victory in Asia, having lost to Holger Rune in Tokyo and then retiring just over a week ago against eventual finalist Arthur Rinderknech after winning the first set in a tiebreak.
Medjedovic currently leads their head-to-head matchups 1-0, having defeated Nakashima in Belgrade last year. With doubts persisting about the fitness of the Serbian, this presents an excellent chance for the higher-ranked American to secure a victory of his own.
Prediction: Nakashima in 3
Main Photo Credit: John E. Sokolowski – USA TODAY Sports