Athens: Novak Djokovic has regained his winning form, advancing to the final of the Hellenic Championship in Athens following a commanding 6-3, 6-4 victory over German qualifier Yannick Hanfmann on Friday. This win marks the end of a streak of four consecutive semi-final losses for the 38-year-old Serbian, bringing him closer to his 101st career ATP title.
The 24-time Grand Slam champion last reached a final at the Geneva Open in May, where he triumphed over Hubert Hurkacz to secure the title. With this latest victory, Djokovic joins an elite group in ATP history as only the third player to achieve 100 or more career titles, falling behind Jimmy Connors (109) and Roger Federer (103).
The semi-final match began with Hanfmann applying early pressure, securing a service break and demonstrating aggressive play from the baseline. However, Djokovic swiftly found his rhythm, breaking back and taking control of the match. Showcasing his trademark precision on serve and exceptional movement on the indoor hard court, Djokovic concluded the match in just 79 minutes.
“I think it was the best tennis I’ve played this tournament. It came at the right time. Hanfmann poses a great threat because he serves big and has a big game, so I needed to really stay focused. I was a break down in the second, but I held my composure. I’m very excited for the final,” Djokovic remarked post-match.
Djokovic will now face either Italy’s Lorenzo Musetti or American Sebastian Korda in the final. Both players have demonstrated impressive form leading up to this match. Djokovic’s win not only signifies a strong week for him but also marks his 200th indoor-court win and the 199th tour-level semi-final of his career. This momentum is vital as he prepares for the ATP Finals in Turin, where he has been drawn into the same group as Carlos Alcaraz, Taylor Fritz, and Alex de Minaur.
