Kazakhstan's first racket Alexander Bublik, after reaching the semifinals of Almaty Open-2026, told Kursiv how much the support of the home crowd helped him in the quarterfinal match against Karen Khachanov. According to the tennis player, it was especially noticeable in the decisive moments of the encounter. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing Kursiv Media.

Bublik defeated Khachanov in three sets – 4:6, 7:6 (7:5), 7:6 (7:5). The match lasted 2 hours 27 minutes, and both of the last sets ended in tie-breaks. The Kazakhstani player hit 21 aces, and in terms of total points won, the opponents were completely equal – 105:105.

During the decisive rallies, spectators in the stands chanted Bublik's name. In a conversation with a Kursiv correspondent, the tennis player admitted that the support gave him energy in one of the most intense matches of the tournament.

"Of course, it charges you up. There aren't that many tournaments where you play at home. Unfortunately, I couldn't come in previous years, but I'm glad I'm here, glad I brought the win and reached the semifinal.

The support was magnificent. They helped me, charged me up. I felt that sometimes they even want me to win more than I do, and that helps."

For Bublik, the quarterfinal against Khachanov was his first full singles match at this year's Almaty Open. The Kazakhstani, as the third seed, skipped the opening round, and his opponent in the 1/8 finals, Fabian Marozsan, withdrew from the tournament due to illness.

The Kazakhstani has been in Almaty for about a week, but admitted that due to training, matches and traffic conditions, he has not yet had time to explore the city in detail.

"Unfortunately, I haven't had much time to see anything. In the first days we went to the city center for dinner, but because of traffic jams we lose a lot of time – you either have to go very late or stand in traffic.

I've been twice: once at dinner with the team right in the city center, the second time with friends. It's beautiful, a very pleasant city. The fresh air closer to the mountains, where we live, of course, helps you sleep well. In general, the city is interesting."

Bublik added with humor that his mother had managed to see Almaty much better.

"I can't say I've seen anything, unfortunately. My mother, for example, went to the mountains, rode the funicular, she saw everything. So you'd better take an interview with her – she'll tell you more," Alexander said.

In the semifinal of Almaty Open, Bublik will face the tournament's defending champion Daniil Medvedev. The Russian defeated Terence Atman in the quarterfinal – 6:4, 6:4. In the other semifinal, Nikoloz Basilashvili and Stefanos Tsitsipas will play.

Recall that Almaty Open is being held from October 17 to 25 at the Almaty Arena. The ATP 250 tournament with a prize fund of $1.07 million is being held in Kazakhstan's southern capital for the third time.