The third time was the charm: Djokovic prevented Tabilo from emulating a unique Federer mark

The saying “there are no two without three” did not adapt to the Chilean this Tuesday Alejandro Tabilo (89th), which unfortunately could not extend its 100% effectiveness against the Serbian Novak Djokovic (5th) by falling 7-6 (3) and 6-1 in the round of 16 of the ATP 250 in Athens.

After succumbing in straight sets at the 2024 Rome Masters 1000 and the 2025 Monte-Carlo Masters 1000, the owner of 100 titles at the highest level finally managed to find a way back to the last champion of the ATP 250 in Chengdu, who complicated the process for him at the beginning, flirted with the first round and did not present much resistance in the second, giving up serve on two occasions to leave in 99 minutes of play on the center court of the OAKA Basketball Arena.

Consequently, the Belgrade-born, 38-year-old and semi-finalist of the four Grand Slam tournaments during 2025, prevented the brave left-hander from emulating the legendary Swiss Roger Federer, only player so far to celebrate in the first three duels of the head to headwho would clench his fist in the four original crosses when claiming victory in the 2006 Monte-Carlo Masters 1000, 2006 Davis Cup, 2007 Australian Open and 2007 Dubai.

On the other hand, Dusan Vemic’s pupil, who would end the adverse streak against ‘His Majesty’ in the final of the Canadian Masters 1000 to conclude 27-23 in head-to-head, also prevented the former number 19 on the planet from becoming the only tennis player to have three successes ahead todayconsidering that the Italian Jannik Sinner, the Russian Marat Safin and the Czech Jiri Vesely dominate 6-4, 2-0 and 2-0, respectively.

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