Djokovic defeats Tabilo to reach Athens Tennis third round

November 05, 2025 / 12:36 PM

Sharjah24: Serbian tennis star Novak Djokovic, ranked world No. 5, resumed competition after a three-week break with a convincing victory over Chile’s Alejandro Tabilo, 7-6 (7-3), 6-1, in the second round of the Athens Open (ATP 250) on hard courts.

Djokovic, the top seed in the tournament, received a first-round bye along with the other top four seeds. The opening set proved challenging for the 38-year-old champion, as both players held serve, forcing a tie-break that Djokovic clinched 7-3 after 68 minutes of intense play.

In the second set, the Serbian found his rhythm and took complete control, breaking Tabilo’s serve twice — in the fourth and sixth games — to close the set 6-1 in just 31 minutes, sealing his place in the third round.

A sweet revenge victory

The win marked a measure of revenge for Djokovic, who had lost his two previous encounters against the 89th-ranked Tabilo — first on the clay courts of Rome in 2024, and later at Monte Carlo earlier this season.

With this victory, Djokovic continues his pursuit of another ATP title, proving his form and resilience as he returns to the court with renewed focus and determination.