Nardi Closes Gap, Boosts Milan Chances

Peter Staples/ATP Tour

#NextGenATP Italian Luca Nardi has moved to within five points of the final qualification place in the Pepperstone ATP Live Race To Milan after he came through qualifying to reach the second round at the Astana Open.

The 19-year-old earned wins over Hamad Medjedovic, David Goffin and Alexander Shevchenko before falling to Stefanos Tsitsipas in two tie-break sets. Nardi, who is aiming to make his debut at the Intesa Sanpaolo Next Gen ATP Finals, is up to 11th in the Pepperstone ATP Live Race To Milan, trailing 10th-placed Dominic Stricker (390 points) by five points.

The 10th spot is the cut off for qualification after first-placed Carlos Alcaraz and second-placed Jannik Sinner both withdrew from the event.

View Pepperstone ATP Live Race To Milan Standings

Timofey Skatov also boosted his hopes by winning his first ATP Challenger Tour title of the season in Parma. The 21-year-old has climbed 10 places to 13th in the Pepperstone ATP Live Race To Milan on 343 points, just 47 points off Stricker.

Ben Shelton has also kept himself in contention after he reached the final at an ATP Challenger Tour event in Tiburon. The 20-year-old American, currently 15th, is on 330 points as he looks to qualify for the 21-and-under event for the first time.

Lorenzo Musetti and Holger Rune have already qualified for the Intesa Sanpaolo Next Gen ATP Finals, to be held from 8-12 November in Milan.