PARIS: Novak Djokovic powered his way into the Athens ATP final with a commanding 6-3, 6-4 win over Germany’s Yannick Hanfmann on Friday. The Serbian star will now face Italy’s Lorenzo Musetti in Saturday’s title clash, after the Italian overcame Sebastian Korda 6-0, 5-7, 7-5 in a thrilling contest.
The 38-year-old world number five took just 79 minutes to overcome Hanfmann and seal his spot in the final. Musetti, meanwhile, must win the Athens event to qualify for the ATP Finals in Turin later this month.
“I think this was the best tennis I’ve played all week,” Djokovic said. “It came at the perfect moment. Hanfmann has a strong serve and powerful game, so I had to stay focused from start to finish.”
The victory ended Djokovic’s run of four straight semi-final losses — at Roland Garros, Wimbledon, the US Open, and Shanghai. His last win in a semi-final came back in May at the Geneva Open, where he went on to claim his 100th career singles title. Only Roger Federer (103) and Jimmy Connors (109) have more.
After missing a break opportunity early in the first set, Djokovic eventually broke at 3-2 and went on to take it 6-3. In the second set, he briefly dropped serve at 2-1 but broke back immediately and maintained his lead to close out the match to the delight of a packed Athens crowd.
“Thank you for filling this incredible stadium once again,” Djokovic told the audience. “I’ve played in many great indoor arenas around the world, but this one is easily among the top three.”
Musetti saves match point to reach Athens final
Italy’s Lorenzo Musetti survived a match point to edge out Sebastian Korda and keep his ATP Finals qualification hopes alive. The 22-year-old triumphed 6-0, 5-7, 7-5 after two hours and 20 minutes of high-intensity tennis.
Currently ninth in the ATP Race to Turin, Musetti must win the Athens title to overtake Felix Auger-Aliassime and secure his spot in the eight-man season finale.
Musetti dominated the opening set, conceding just five points. In the second, he broke in the seventh game, but Korda fought back strongly, breaking twice to force a decider.
Korda earned a match point in the 10th game of the third set, but Musetti saved it brilliantly — drawing him to the net with a drop shot before sending a precise lob over his head. The Italian then broke serve and closed out the match with confidence.
“It was an incredible battle,” Musetti said afterward. “The level kept rising, and the energy was electric. Reaching the final here means a lot, but now I’m already focused on facing Novak tomorrow.”
