Athens is set to host another final appearance for Novak Djokovic, as the Serbian veteran surged past Yannick Hanfmann with a 6-3, 6-4 scoreline in the Hellenic Championship semi-finals. This triumph ends Djokovic’s recent struggles in semi-final matches and puts him within touching distance of his 101st career ATP championship.
The 38-year-old’s performance was a masterclass in controlled aggression and strategic play. After falling behind an early break, Djokovic responded with characteristic resilience, reclaiming the break and dictating the tempo of the match. His precise serving and agile court coverage proved too much for Hanfmann on the indoor hard court, securing his passage to the final in under an hour and a half.
Reflecting on his performance, Djokovic expressed satisfaction: “I felt I played my best tennis of the week today. Hanfmann has a very strong game, especially his serve, so staying mentally strong was key. To come back from a deficit in the second set and win felt great. I’m very much looking forward to the final match.”
This latest victory follows Djokovic’s 200th indoor-court win and 199th tour-level semi-final appearance. He awaits the winner of the other semi-final, which features Lorenzo Musetti and Sebastian Korda, to determine his opponent for the Hellenic Championship title. The win signifies a strong showing as he gears up for further major competitions.