Wild card Alexander Shevchenko of Russia defeated Dutchman Botic van de Zandschulp 6-4, 6-3 in the first round of the Astana Open on Wednesday in Kazakhstan.

Serbia's Hamad Medjedovic, another wild-card entry, was leading countryman and No. 7 seed Laslo Djere 6-3, 2-1 when Djere was forced to retire.

Nuno Borges of Portugal rallied for a 5-7, 7-6 (6), 6-4 victory against wild card and home favorite Mikhail Kukushkin of Kazakhstan.

Tallon Griekspoor of the Netherlands is the ATP 250 event's No. 1 seed. Novak Djokovic of Serbia is the defending champion but is not in this year's field.

--Field Level Media