Novak Djokovic showcased his brilliance in Athens, defeating Chile’s Alejandro Tabilo 7-6 (3), 6-1 to reach his 225th career quarterfinal.
This victory was especially meaningful as Djokovic had lost both previous encounters against Tabilo in straight sets on clay courts.
The Serbian legend turned the tables in style, producing powerful serves, accurate groundstrokes, and superb control under pressure in Athens.
Djokovic’s precision dominated the first set tie-break, and he carried that momentum into the second set with complete confidence.
He served thirteen aces and maintained composure throughout the match, finishing with 27 winners and zero double faults recorded.
Djokovic expressed joy after his victory, crediting the passionate Greek crowd for their energy and support throughout the intense evening encounter.
He described playing in Athens as feeling “like home,” praising Greece’s warm hospitality and the cultural connection between Serbia and Greece.
The win marked a milestone, making Djokovic only the fourth man in the Open Era to reach 225 career quarterfinal appearances.
Jimmy Connors, Roger Federer, and Rafael Nadal remain the only players ahead of Djokovic in total career quarterfinal appearances achieved.
In his on-court interview, Djokovic admitted feeling pressure before the match due to losing both previous meetings against Tabilo earlier.
However, his experience and resilience guided him as he found rhythm early and controlled rallies with effective forehands and deep returns.
The first set stayed tight as both players held serve until Djokovic edged ahead 7-6 (3) in a competitive tie-break battle.
In the second set, Djokovic broke early and reeled off five straight games, leaving Tabilo struggling to find rhythm or consistency again.
The victory also marked Djokovic’s first official tour-level win in Athens since establishing his new training base in the Greek capital.
He thanked the local crowd for their unwavering support, saying their cheers gave him motivation and belief to keep pushing harder.
Up next, Djokovic will face Portugal’s Nuno Borges, who outlasted American Eliot Spizzirri 5-7, 6-3, 6-4 in a tough three-set contest.
Their quarterfinal clash will mark their first-ever meeting, and Djokovic will look to continue his quest for another ATP title.
This Athens triumph highlights Djokovic’s consistency, determination, and hunger as he continues rewriting tennis history with every milestone reached.
Hellenic Championship Athens Men’s Singles Results
Round of 32:
- USA M. McDonald def. ARG T. Etcheverry 7-6(5), 3-6, 6-7
- GER Y. Hanfmann def. BUL I. Ivanov 6-4, 6-2
- USA M. Giron def. ESP P. Martinez 6-4, 6-1
Round of 16:
- USA S. Korda def. BIH D. Dzumhur 4-6, 6-3, 6-3
- SRB N. Djokovic def. CHI A. Tabilo 7-6(3), 6-1
- PRT N. Borges def. USA E. Spizzirri 5-7, 6-3, 6-4
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