Tabilo relishes mixing it with the best
Alejandro Tabilo features in the draw at this week’s Almaty Open but it isn’t the first time the Chilean has found himself in Kazakhstan.
Tabilo distinctly remembers competing in back-to-back third-tier indoor tournaments in Aktobe in February 2019, just after he held no ranking due to a change in the ranking structure at those levels.
He reached the final of the first one — barely missing out on a clash with a teenaged Jannik Sinner — and won the second after starting with a victory against Tomas Machac.
[ATP APP]“Those tournaments gave me my ATP Ranking back and just opened up the doors again to go up,” said Tabilo, who subsequently achieved semi-finals and quarter-finals of ATP Challenger Tour events on clay in Kazakhstan later in 2019.
Tabilo enjoyed his time to such an extent that he made an early decision this year to compete in Kazakhstan’s most populated city.
“I told my team from the beginning that I wanted to play here, since all the years I played here, it’s been so nice,” he said. “This tournament has been incredible. Everything is very well organized. The people are so helpful. Very happy to be back.”
The world No. 23 is indeed back and as the second seed behind Laver Cup teammate Frances Tiafoe.
The left-hander earned an opening bye before defeating Germany’s Maximilian Marterer 6-2 6-4 on Wednesday without facing a break point, according to Infosys ATP Stats.
Tabilo isn’t fazed by playing in Almaty’s higher altitude, given he trains in similar conditions in Santiago.
But wins have been hard to come by of late for the 27-year-old, following three tour-level finals and a spot in the semi-finals of the ATP Masters 1000 in Rome all before Wimbledon in July.
Tabilo entered Almaty having lost nine of 10 matches, including the Laver Cup. The last one at the Shanghai Masters particularly stung.
He led 2023 Australian Open semifinalist Tommy Paul by a set and 5-1 and held five match points.
“At the beginning, it was very tough to swallow but considering how I played, I think we were able to kind of take the best parts and try and learn from that,” said Tabilo. “I feel like it’s out of my system. Just happy with how I played, knowing that I can be at that level. It makes me much more motivated and makes me want to stay at this level more.”
Tabilo admitted to feeling a “lot looser” at the start of 2024, when he was the No. 85 in the PIF ATP Rankings.
“Now, it’s constant playing with all the Top 20s, which is a lot tougher and they show that level,” said Tabilo.
“Once you let up a bit, they come at you with everything. I’ve been trying to learn and adapt to that situation, but I feel like every match, every opportunity I get to play with them, I’m dealing with it better.
“Just trying to finish strong and prepare for next year.”
Tabilo was born and raised in Toronto but being four years older than Friday’s opponent Gabriel Diallo, he never hit with the 6ft 8in Montrealer, who is making his maiden appearance in an ATP quarter-final.
“First time playing with him and being on court with him actually,” said Tabilo.