Novak Djokovic beat Alejandro Tabilo 7-6(3), 6-1 in the round of 16 at the ATP 250 Athens, ending the Chilean’s unbeaten record against him. The Serb, co-organizer of the event with his family, celebrated this first win in three meetings with euphoria. Tabilo, despite a solid first set, could not overcome the hierarchy of the former world number one.
The match in Athens marked the end of Alejandro Tabilo’s (89th in ATP rankings) unbeaten streak against Novak Djokovic (5th), who prevailed in a tense and pivotal encounter for his confidence ahead of the Masters Tournament. Tabilo had previously beaten the Serb at the 2024 Rome Masters 1000 and 2025 Montecarlo, putting him in uncomfortable spots. However, this time, the pressure favored Djokovic, who co-organizes the event with his family after moving to Greece due to conflicts with the Serbian government.
The first set was competitive: Tabilo saved two break points masterfully but fell in the tiebreak 3-0, where Djokovic showcased his experience. The Serb celebrated with euphoria, underscoring the win’s significance. In the second set, Djokovic showed signs of fatigue after the initial effort but saved a break point in the opening game. Despite apparent weariness, he unleashed powerful shots to the lines, pressuring Tabilo, who lost his serve at love in the fourth game. The Chilean, under coach Horacio Matta, lost precision and energy, allowing Djokovic to close the match authoritatively at age 38.
Post-match, Djokovic emphasized the victory’s importance: “It was very important this match against Tabilo, whom I had never beaten; it was a very difficult match. There was a lot of tension before the match because I had never beaten him; the energy from the crowd throughout the match was very important.” He also expressed his bond with Greece: “I feel at home; months ago I moved here with my family. I’m very excited to be in Greece, I love the people, I feel very comfortable. The connection, the culture, the experiences, and the hospitality are very great, and everything I’ve received,” earning cheers from the local crowd.
With this result, Djokovic advances to the quarterfinals, upholding his dominance in world tennis, while Tabilo exits the Greek tournament.