A Greek resident for a few weeks, Novak Djokovic won his first match at the ATP 250 tournament in Athens, against Alejandro Tabilo, who had nevertheless won their first two confrontations.
“Kalispera Ellada!” » (“Good evening Greece!”). In two words, Novak Djokovic got the Greek public in his pocket. For several months, the 38-year-old Serbian has taken up residence in Greece, and this Tuesday he played his very first match in his new country, at the ATP 250 in Athens, which moved this year while it previously took place in Belgrade, and which is organized by his brother.
The world No. 5, qualified for the Turin Masters which will begin this Sunday, will try to regain sensations during this Greek tournament, he who had not played in competition since his defeat in the semi-final in Shanghai against Valentin Vacherot on October 11. And the draw was not in his favor, offering him for his entry Alejandro Tabilo, one of the three players in history (with Marat Safin and Jiri Vesely) not to have lost against the Serb having faced him at least twice.
Djokovic impeccable on serve
But Novak Djokovic did not fall into the trap, and after losing twice on clay against the Chilean (89th in the world), he beat him with a score of 7-6, 6-1 in 1h40 in the Athens room, where the public only had eyes for him. The Serbian delivered a solid match for his return to competition, notably serving 13 aces and saving the only break point his opponent got. In the first set, the two players easily won their faceoff (except in the very first game, where Tabilo had to save two break points) and decided in the tiebreak, which Djokovic won 7-3 after leading from start to finish.
Djokovic delighted with the welcome from the Greeks
In the second set, the Serb saved a break point in the first game, then he then played his tennis. Tabilo had obviously given everything in the first set, and lost his serve at 2-1 on a shutout, then at 4-1. Novak Djokovic, who sometimes had to catch his breath, ended this match on his second match point. Here he is in the round of 16 and assured of becoming world No. 4 again before the Masters.
“I’m still working on my Greek. I feel at home playing in Athens. I’ve always loved Greece, and I was excited when I arrived here with my family a few months ago. Many Serbs love Greece, we have a lot in common, historically and culturally. The people are really very friendly”he reacted after the meeting. Next opponent: the American Spizzirri or the Portuguese Borges.
