The Hellenic Championships in Athens is heating up as the ATP season winds down, drawing attention with both Novak Djokovic and Lorenzo Musetti reaching the semi-finals. Djokovic, the tournament’s top seed and a frequent contender, is on a quest to break his semi-final slump, while Musetti seeks to cement his chances for a spot in the ATP Finals.
Djokovic, now a resident of Athens, has had a strong showing in the tournament, and his family owns this event, previously held in Belgrade. He has successfully navigated through his matches, targeting a third final of the year after experiencing a mixed record in reaching semi-finals this season. Djokovic’s journey to the semi-finals included a decisive win against Alejandro Tabilo, overcoming past defeats, and displaying incredible serve efficacy in his match against Nuno Borges, generating an 86% first-serve success rate. This performance marks his 200th victory on indoor hard courts.
The Serbian player is set to face German Yannick Hanfmann, who has been impressively resilient throughout the tournament, winning through the qualifying rounds and only dropping one set. Their recent encounter at the Shanghai Masters, where Djokovic emerged victorious, adds an intriguing layer to their upcoming match.
On the other side, Lorenzo Musetti, currently ranked No. 9 in the world, is holding on to his aspirations of qualifying for the ATP Finals. Despite competing at a high level, he faces the pressure of needing to win the title in Athens to secure his spot. He will be up against American Sebastian Korda in the semi-finals, who has demonstrated a return to form after injury struggles, marked by solid performances that have propelled him back into the Top 50 rankings.
The stakes are high for both matches, not only for potential titles but also for the opportunity to further their standings in the ATP rankings. This competition has brought forth an engaging narrative—a test of resilience and skill as two seasoned players and two rising stars compete at the highest level in the sport.
With excitement building as the tournament progresses, fans are undoubtedly looking forward to an action-packed semi-final day, where both matches promise to deliver high-stakes tennis and thrilling storylines heading into the final stretch of the season.