Novak Djokovicnumber 5 in the world, qualified on Friday for the final of the ATP 250 tournament in Athenson hard court, after beating the German Yannick Hanfmann (N.117) 6-3, 6-4.
The 38-year-old Serbian, first seeded in the Greek tournament, will face in the final the American Sebastian Korda (N.52) or the second seed, the Italian Lorenzo Musetti (N.9), who is obliged to win the tournament to ensure his presence in the ATP Masters, which will be held in Turin from November 9 to 16.
On Saturday, Djokovic could add his 101st trophy on the main circuit, after having lost the final of the Miami Masters 1000 in March against the Czech Jakub Mensik (N.19) and having won the ATP 250 in Geneva in May against the Polish Hubert Hurkacz (N.78).
If ‘Djoko’ wins, he would be just two titles away from the record of his former Swiss rival Roger Federer (103 titles) and eight from the American Jimmy Connors (109).
Against Hanfmann, Djokovic ended a streak of four losses in consecutive semifinals, at Roland Garros, Wimbledon, US Open and at the Shanghai Masters 1000.
The Serbian, who had already touched the break, broke his rival’s serve with the score at 3-2, and maintained his advantage until the end of the set, won 6-3.
In the second set, Djokovic lost his serve at 2-1 but broke the break to tie 3-3. Then, he broke his opponent’s serve the next game and took advantage of it to secure the victory, after 1h18 minutes.
— Results from Friday’s match at the ATP 250 tournament in Athens:
. Men’s Singles – Semifinals:
Novak Djokovic (SRB/N.1) defeated Yannick Hanfmann (GER) 6-3, 6-4
