Djokovic unblocked a complicated debut, removed a thorn in Tabilo and affirmed himself as a candidate in Athens

Surely it will not be a simple victory for the Serbian Novak Djokovic (5th), who this Tuesday unlocked a complicated debut to remove a personal thorn against the Chilean Alejandro Tabilo (89th) by winning 7-6 (3) and 6-1 in practically 100 minutes of play, advancing to the quarterfinals in the Athens ATP 250 and establish himself as the top candidate for the title.

In the competition organized by his family, after leaving Belgrade due to bureaucratic issues, the former world number 1 had the pleasure of beating the talented left-hander for the first time, the executioner of the Australian Adam Walton (83°) in a close matches in the debut, which he had surpassed in the two previous duels against each otherat the Rome Masters 1000 2024 and at the Monte-Carlo Masters 1000 2025, to be excited about his 101st crown at the highest level.

Therefore, the legendary Balkan, who is participating for the first time in the professional circuit in the Hellenic country and would appear again in the ATP Finals, entered 225th time among the best eight of a competition, ninth in the current season, sixth in a row, taking advantage of the main leaders of the statistics such as Jimmy Connors, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, considering that they registered 276, 245 and 226, respectively.

In pursuit of being one step closer to the coronation, the last champion of the ATP 250 in Geneva will clash this Thursday against the winner of the duel between the Portuguese Nuno Borges (47th), sixth seed, and the qualy United States Eliot Spizzirri (96°).

All the activity of the ATP 250 in Athens can be followed LIVE on Disney+ Premium Plan.