Sports
Bernard Tomic Faces Corentin Moutet at Almaty Open First Round

ALMATY, Kazakhstan — Bernard Tomic will make a rare main-tour appearance on Monday as he competes against Corentin Moutet in the first round of the Almaty Open. This marks Tomic’s only ATP main draw of the season, where he is ranked No. 168.
To qualify for this event, Tomic beat Denis Yevseyev and Marc-Andrea Huesler in three sets, saving a match point in his last qualifying match. Tomic said, “I’m excited to be back on the tour and ready to compete against tough opponents.”
Moutet, ranked No. 38, comes into the match with impressive recent form, including a semifinal appearance in Hangzhou earlier this summer. Experts predict Moutet will have the upper hand, as he has improved significantly during the hard-court season.
“Bernard is a talented player, but I feel confident going into our match,” Moutet said. “I will focus on my game and aim for a quick win.”
The Almaty Open, now in its sixth year, has been downgraded to an ATP 250 event but still attracts top talent, including players from the world’s top 20. Fans are eager to see how matches unfold in the indoor hard-court swing.
Other opening-day matches feature promising young player Amir Omarkhanov, who received a wild card entry, competing against Gabriel Diallo. This match is highly anticipated due to Diallo’s experience on the surface.
“I’m looking forward to making a statement,” Diallo said. “Playing against a local talent adds extra motivation.”
As the tournament progresses, matches like Tomic vs. Moutet will be crucial for players aiming to assert themselves in the ATP rankings.