Novak Djokovic reached the quarter-final at the ATP 250 event in Athens. The ATP tournament is back in the Greece capital for the first time since 1994, and the Serb competes as the top seed and favorite.
Novak faced Alejandro Tabilo in the second round and earned a 7-6, 6-1 victory in an hour and 39 minutes, providing his first triumph over ther Chilean after losing two times on clay in the previous two years.
The veteran endured a physical battle in the opener, adjusting his backhand and clinching the set in the tie break. Djokovic notched back-to-back breaks in the second set to emerge at the top and collect his 225th ATP quarter-final.
ADVERTISEMENT
Novak dominanted behind the first serve and saved the only break point offered to his opponent. The top seed clinched 42% of the return points and grabbed two breaks from five opportunities.
ADVERTISEMENT
Alejandro faced two break points in the first game of the duel. He saved them and avoided an early setback. They served well in the remaining games and introduced a tie break.
Djokovic grabbed all five points on serve and kept the pressure on the other side. Tabilo missed a forehand in the first point to fall behind. The Serb served well and moved 5-2 in front.
The veteran claimed an extended rally for 6-3 and drew the rival's error on the first set point to close the first part of the duel in 67 minutes. Novak saved a break point in the first game of the second set.
He grabbed a break at love in the fourth game after Alejandro's backhand mistake to open the advantage. Djokovic held at love for 4-1 and provided another break in the next one after another loose shot from Tabilo.
ADVERTISEMENT
The Serb held at 15 at 5-1 with a forced error to seal the deal and book his place in the quarter-final.
