German tennis player Jan-Lennard Struff, currently ranked 98th in the world, expressed his profound admiration for the organization of the ATP 250 tournament in Almaty, Kazakhstan.
First Impressions of Almaty and Tournament Facilities
«For me, this is simply a magnificent tournament,» Struff shared. «It`s my first time in Kazakhstan, in Almaty, and I`ve been truly impressed. First and foremost, I was struck by the fantastic landscapes, the superb hotel, the exquisite cuisine, and the excellent facilities for play. The mountain views are simply breathtaking. Despite the autumn trees, the sun still shines brightly during the day, though the air is already cool. The courts are also top-notch; I`ve only practiced on Court No. 1 so far and eagerly await tomorrow. The food here is wonderful, and everyone is very hospitable. It`s truly an amazing tournament.»
Reflecting on a Hard-Fought First-Round Victory
Struff also commented on his hard-fought victory in the opening round against American Mackenzie McDonald, which he secured with a score of 2/6, 6/3, 6/4.
«It was a very tough match,» Struff admitted. «Mackenzie and I met previously in the first round of the US Open, and that was also a close battle where I managed to come out on top. Today`s encounter was no exception. McDonald played excellently; he gained confidence after reaching the Challenger final last week. I, on the other hand, had a little more time to adapt to the local conditions and altitude. I`m glad I was able to recover after losing the first set (2/6) and save three break points at the start of the second set. I managed to find my rhythm, and a high first-serve percentage, which is especially important at this altitude, played a key role.»
Anticipating the Match Against Karen Khachanov
Looking ahead, Struff shared his expectations for the upcoming second-round match against Russian Karen Khachanov, currently ranked 10th in the world.
«Karen is an outstanding tennis player, and he`s also the defending champion of this tournament,» Struff noted. «It will be a challenging match, and I understand that tomorrow I`ll need to bring my A-game. Our previous encounters have always been very competitive and close. I know he possesses immense energy and power in his game. However, I also have plenty of power in my shots, so I think there won`t be many slow rallies. I know it will be a very tough match. I`ve played several good matches during the outdoor season, and I`ve already played one match here, and I hope to build on that success.»
