Almaty Prediction: Cobolli vs Duckworth 10/17/2025 Today’s Tennis Picks

Third seed Flavio Cobolli will face Australian qualifier James Duckworth in the quarterfinals of the 2025 Almaty Open. The match is scheduled for Friday, October 17. Here’s our Flavio Cobolli vs James Duckworth prediction. This preview will also include a Flavio Cobolli vs James Duckworth pick.

Flavio Cobolli vs James Duckworth Preview

Flavio Cobolli is the number three seed in Almaty, where he is making his tournament debut. Cobolli received a bye in the first round and began the week with a second-round victory over lucky loser Rinky Hijikata, which ended his chase for a first win since Beijing.

Cobolli had the perfect start to the match as he broke Hijikata in the first game and maintained a firm grip on that lead throughout the set, which he won 6-4. Hijikata briefly led 3-0 with a break in the second set, but Cobolli rallied to win the set 7-5 with two breaks of serve.

Cobolli hit 9 aces and only 1 double fault in the victory. The Italian landed 71% of first serves in play and won 78% of first serve points (32/41). Cobolli won 53% of second serve points (9/17) and only got broken once in the match.

James Duckworth is having quite the week in Almaty as he progressed into the last eight as a qualifier. The skillful Aussie authored one of the shocks of the week by eliminating seventh seed Gabriel Diallo in a three-set epic. 

Duckworth edged the big-serving Canadian in the first set tiebreak 7-3, but it was Diallo who pinched the second set tiebreak by the same score. The third set witnessed the only break of serve in the whole match and it was Duckworth who converted the break point at 3-all to take a 4-3 lead. The 33-year-old held in each of his next two service games to win the match.

Flavio Cobolli vs James Duckworth Head-To-Head

Cobolli beat Duckworth in four sets in their only meeting at the 2024 US Open.

Flavio Cobolli vs James Duckworth Prediction

Duckworth is having some week in Almaty, reaching his second ATP quarterfinal of the season. The Aussie is a hard-court specialist and the indoor conditions suit his playing style. He’s been thriving from qualifying. That said, I’m still leaning towards Cobolli, who has the heavier rally tolerance, better absorber of pace, and generally better movement being ten years younger.