Djokovic Reaches 225th Career Quarterfinal With Straight Set Wins Over Tabilo In Athens
Novak Djokovic marked his return to competitive tennis with a convincing victory over Alejandro Tabilo at the Athens ATP tournament on Tuesday, winning in straight sets, 7-6 (7/3), 6-1. The top-seeded Djokovic, who received a first-round bye in the indoor hard-court event, showcased his resilience after a three-week hiatus from the sport.
The 38-year-old Serbian faced a challenging opponent in Tabilo, ranked 89th in the world, who had previously defeated Djokovic in their last two encounters—once on clay in Rome last year and again in Monte Carlo earlier this season. However, Djokovic turned the tables this time, demonstrating his experience and skill.
The match began with a tightly contested opening set that went to a tiebreaker, where Djokovic took control, winning it 7-3. He then broke Tabilo’s serve twice in the second set, sealing the match and advancing to his 225th tour-level quarterfinal.
Looking ahead, Djokovic will face either Portugal’s Nuno Borges or American qualifier Eliot Spizzirri in the quarterfinals. With the ATP Finals in Turin on the horizon, Djokovic is eager to regain his form and compete at the highest level.
Djokovic’s last outing was a semifinal loss to Valentin Vacherot at the Shanghai Masters 1000 on October 11, prompting him to skip the recent Paris Masters.
