Prestigious ATP 250 Astana Open tournament started in Nur-Sultan. Professional tennis players from the top hundred of the world ranking are competing for the winner’s title and scores in the capital of Kazakhstan, the official website of the akimat reports referring to the press service of the Tennis Federation.

The draw is done, qualification games are over, and a bracket of 32 participants is in place. The first round started on the courts of the National Tennis Center.

Kazakhstani tennis players attend the tournament: the sixth seed Alexander Bublik, member of the Kazakhstan national Davis Cup team Mikhail Kukushkin, as well as Dmitriy Popko and Timofey Skatov, who received wild cards from the organizers.

 The following athletes are among Astana Open participants: Benoit Paire (27th world rocket), Miomir Kecmanovich (39), Adrian Mannarino (41), John Millman (44), Tennys Sandgren (48), Fernando Verdasco, Francis Tiafoe and other tennis players.

Now, the launch of Astana Open is official. This day was preceded by serious organizational work. We have been preparing to host ATP in our country for several years. We hope that the tennis week will give all tennis fans vivid impressions, enable athletes to improve their positions in the world ranking, and give the tournament a permanent residence permit in Kazakhstan," said Yuriy Polskiy, Vice President of the Tennis Federation of Kazakhstan.

The games started on October 26 at 12:00 Nur-Sultan time.

The tournament finale will take place at the National Tennis Center on November 1. The total prize fund is USD 275,000.

Strict safety measures are observed at matches. No spectators are allowed at the games. Qazsport TV channel broadcasts live matches. Broadcasting overseas is organized through Eurosport.