ATHENS, November 6, 2025
When Lorenzo Musetti entered the Vanda Pharmaceuticals Hellenic Championship, the Italian’s goal was clear: by winning the title, he aimed to secure one of the eight coveted spots at the ATP Finals in Turin. After a hard-fought opening win over Swiss veteran Stan Wawrinka on Wednesday, Musetti followed up in style on Thursday afternoon. In his quarterfinal clash with France’s Alexandre Muller, the World No. 9 was in complete control, cruising to a 6-2, 6-4 victory over the tournament’s fifth seed.
Although many of the green seats in the massive Telekom Center – the largest arena on the ATP Tour with a capacity of over 18,000 places – remained empty, the spectators in attendance were treated to a display of dazzling shot-making and high-quality rallies.
Musetti sent down nine aces and won 78 per cent of his first-service points to advance in one hour and 21 minutes.
Semi-final bound!
Lorenzo Musetti is two victories away from Turin after defeating Alexandre Muller 6-2 6-4 #HellenicChampionship pic.twitter.com/70zQCNrzkx
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) November 6, 2025
“I played a better match, also a better style of the match compared to yesterday,” said Musetti, who became the ninth man born since 2000 to record 80 hard-court wins.
“I think the serve was key today. That gave me the confidence to try to be more aggressive, especially with the forehand. That’s what I need to do on this kind of surface, so I’m really happy and really proud of this win.”
In his 24th tour-level semi-final, his seventh of the season, Musetti will take on Sebastian Korda of the United States, who cruised past Miomir Kecmanovic from Serbia 6-3, 6-2 in just under an hour of play.
Djokovic downs Borges
Atmosphere heated up in the late afternoon when top seed Novak Djokovic first stepped onto the Center Court for a quick practice session and later in the evening for his first meeting with Portuguese Nuno Borges. The home favourite needed some time to find his rhythm but took the opening set in the tie-break 7-1.
Supported by the Greek crowd, Djokovic gained the first and only break in the seventh game of the second set. From then on, the 38-year-old didn’t look back anymore and secured 7-6(1), 6-4 victory in one hour and 43 minutes with a powerful forehand winner down the line.
Record-breaker ⭐
It’s a 200th indoor win for @DjokerNole who will now advance to a 199th tour-level semi-final#HellenicChampionship pic.twitter.com/84DrCXy9OR
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) November 6, 2025
“Kalispéra,” Djokovic greeted the spectators in Greek at the start of his on-court interview and added about the match:
“It was a very physical battle. I thought Nuno played a high level. I served well in the important moments, and I played a tie-break in the second set. There weren’t too many opportunities.
“I was a bit surprised with how good he played. I think we went toe to toe, most of the match. Just a few points decided the winner tonight and he deserves a round of applause for his performance.
“I played a great tie-break in the first set. Not too many opportunities for both of us to break the serve of the other guy. That game was the only game I was able to break him,” said Djokovic, who won 88 pent of his first-service points to record his 200th indoor win, being the first active player to achieve this feat.
The Athens resident was also happy with the atmosphere: “The support by the crowd is amazing and it gets better. For me it’s almost like playing in Serbia. I am very thankful for that,” Djokovic stated.
Djokovic to face Hanfmann again
Up next for Djokovic will be German qualifier Yannick Hanfmann, who continued his fine run of form in Athens with a 7-6(3), 6-4 win over US-American Marcos Giron.
The 33-year-old Karlsruhe native struck nine aces and won 56 per cent of the total points played to advance in one hour and 28 minutes.
“It was really good match from start to finish,” Hanfmann said after reaching his ninth semi-final on the ATP Tour, his first since Chengdu in September last year.
The pair recently met at the ATP Masters 1000 in Shanghai, when Hanfmann pushed Djokovic to the limit before eventually falling in three sets.
What does the World No. 117s expect from another clash with the 24-time Grand Slam champion? “When I’m able to serve well again, I might have the chance to stay as long as possible in the match,” Hanfmann responded.
“I played well in Shanghai but expect more rallies tomorrow, as the balls don’t bounce very high here. It feels a bit like playing on grass here but I played well throughout the week, and I am really looking forward to the match tomorrow.”
