Djokovic rallies to etch hard-court record in Athens
Under the late-season pressure of the Hellenic Championship, Novak Djokovic turned a tense deficit into a defining comeback, surpassing Roger Federer while sealing Felix Auger-Aliassime's path to the ATP Finals.
In the sun-baked courts of Athens, Novak Djokovic forged a comeback that silenced early doubts, outlasting Lorenzo Musetti in a three-set final that stretched over three hours. The 4-6, 6-3, 7-5 victory delivered his 101st career title and elevated his hard-court collection to a men's-record 72, one beyond Roger Federer's benchmark. At 38, the Serb's resilience shone through the physical toll, transforming a gritty battle into a testament to his unyielding drive.
Musetti's slices unsettle the baseline exchange
Musetti seized the first set with fluid creativity, his one-handed backhand deploying underspin slices that skimmed low over the hard-court net, disrupting Djokovic's rhythm from the outset. Crosscourt angles pulled the veteran wide, forcing hurried responses amid the humid air, while sharp down-the-line passes kept points crisp and the crowd on edge. The Italian's variety echoed recent challenges that had tested Djokovic's adaptability on this pacey surface.
Djokovic absorbed the early pressure, his deeper returns gradually blunting the flair as the match wore on.
"An incredible battle," Djokovic said. "Three hours of a grueling match, physically. ... I'm just very proud of myself to get through this one."
Serve adjustments flip the momentum
By the second set, Djokovic recalibrated, his serve gaining bite to level the score and redirect the tactical flow. Inside-out forehands pierced Musetti's defenses, countering the one–two patterns of slice into topspin that had dominated early. The hard court's true bounce rewarded his precision, breaking the Italian twice and injecting psychological lift as the Athenian spectators sensed the shift.
This pivot not only evened the contest but highlighted Djokovic's knack for evolving mid-match, drawing on experience to neutralize youthful invention.
Third-set breaks crown enduring grit
The decider erupted into five service breaks, each swing heightening the stakes on the unforgiving hard courts where endurance edged out bursts of brilliance. Musetti's down-the-line strikes tested Djokovic's footwork, yet the Serb's movement held firm, adapting to the tempo while the crowd's roars amplified every rally. Sealing it with a service winner, he dashed Musetti's ATP Finals hopes in Turin, paving the way for Felix Auger-Aliassime to claim the final qualifying spot.
Musetti, now 0-6 in tour-level finals, battled fiercely but faded under the season's cumulative weight. For Djokovic, this triumph offers a mental reset, fortifying his pursuit of year-end glory with the same tactical depth that has defined his legacy on hard courts.
