Novak Djokovic will debut on the ATP 250 occasion in Athens on Tuesday in opposition to the Chilean, Alejandro Tabilo. The highest seed will search his first victory over Tabilo, having misplaced to him on the massive levels on clay in 2024 and 2025.
The Chilean has gained all 4 units in opposition to the Serb, besting him in Rome in 2024 and in Monte Carlo this April. The 38-year-old will search revenge on an indoor arduous courtroom, hoping for a robust end to the season.
Regardless of a lowered schedule, Djokovic will seemingly end the season within the top-4 following his nice run in any respect 4 Majors and two notable outcomes at a Masters 1000 stage.
. @DjokerNole in Athens 🇬🇷
Follow session 🎾 #HellenicChampionship #NoleFam pic.twitter.com/BRJGxyRGFQ— Milica Milutinovic (@MilicaM84932667) November 2, 2025
The Serb has struggled bodily within the earlier weeks. He grew to become the oldest Masters 1000 semi-finalist in Shanghai regardless of brutal situations earlier than retiring in opposition to Taylor Fritz on the Six Kings Slam in Riyadh.
Novak rested his physique and entered the ATP 250 occasion in Athens, the place he lives since September. The 24-time Main winner will search 4 triumphs and his second title of the season after Geneva.
Tabilo is aware of the right way to problem the legend, not less than on clay. He offered a shocking victory in Rome in 2024 earlier than besting Djokovic once more this April in Monte Carlo.
Novak Djokovic, Shanghai Masters 2025© Stream screenshot
The Chilean earned a 6-3, 6-4 victory in an hour and 27 minutes within the second spherical. The Serb arrived in Monte Carlo after the Miami Open closing and with a viral infoection, getting into the draw with low expectations.
Nonetheless, he didn’t anticipate to carry out that poorly in opposition to Alejandro, apologizing to everybody who watched the match. Alejandro tamed his strokes properly and landed 16 winners and unforced errors.
He saved two of three break factors and stole 45% of the return factors to supply three breaks from eight alternatives. Djokovic sprayed too many errors, principally from his forehand.
Novak struggled to search out service winners and trailed within the shortest exchanges as much as 4 strokes huge time. The Serb hopes for a stronger efficiency on an indoor arduous courtroom in Athens.
Tabilo needed to dig deep within the first spherical and prepare his third duel in opposition to essentially the most embellished participant of all time. The Chilean prevailed over Adam Walton 7-6, 6-7, 7-5 in three hours and two minutes.
Alejandro Tabilo, Monte Carlo 2025© Stream screenshot
Walton fired 20 aces and performed higher behind the primary and second serve. Nevertheless, he wasted 4 of six break factors and skilled three breaks to propel his rival excessive.
Alejandro saved a set level within the tie break of the opening set to maneuver in entrance. The Aussie wasted a 5-2 lead within the second set and confronted a match level at 5-6 within the tie break.
He saved it and clinched the breaker 8-6 to introduce a decider. Tabilo struggled on serve in video games 5, seven and 9. Walton missed an opportunity to seize a break earlier earlier than reaching that at 4-4.
The Aussie served for the win in recreation ten however skilled a break to maintain the extra skilled rival in competition. Tabilo gained a lift and offered one other break at 6-5 to emerge on the prime and prepare his third conflict in opposition to Novak Djokovic.
