Novak Djokovic advances to the Hellenic Championship final after a strong win over Yannick Hanfmann. Get a full preview of the Djokovic vs. Musetti matchup, semifinal highlights, and what to expect in Saturday’s ATP final in Athens.

Djokovic vs Musetti Set for “Dream Final” at Inaugural Hellenic Championship in Athens

The inaugural Hellenic Championship couldn’t have scripted a better ending. Fans in Athens will get the ultimate showdown on Saturday, as top seed Novak Djokovic will clash with second seed Lorenzo Musetti in a marquee final that blends star power, storylines, and high stakes. Djokovic is chasing his first title in his adopted home city, while Musetti is fighting to secure one of the last precious spots at the ATP Finals in Turin.

The stage is set, the crowd is buzzing, and Athens is ready for a blockbuster conclusion.

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Djokovic Rolls Into Final With His Sharpest Performance of the Week

Novak Djokovic booked his place in the championship match on Friday afternoon with a composed 6-3, 6-4 win over German qualifier Yannick Hanfmann. Just weeks after needing three sets to get past Hanfmann at the Shanghai Masters, Djokovic showed more authority and clarity in Athens, controlling the pace in most rallies and handling the pressure moments with signature calm.

There was only one hiccup. Midway through the first set, Hanfmann broke serve to lead 3-1, sparking a brief flash of frustration from the Serbian as he glanced at the jumbotron. But as great champions tend to do, Djokovic flipped the momentum almost immediately. He broke back for 4-3, tightened his baseline game, and never allowed Hanfmann another opening.

After just over an hour on court, Djokovic closed out the match cleanly, securing yet another tour-level final and improving match-by-match through the tournament.

Djokovic: “It came at the right time”

Speaking after the win, Djokovic said this was the level he had been looking for.

“I think it was the best tennis I’ve played this tournament,” Djokovic said. “Hanfmann poses a great threat because he serves big, has a big game, so I needed to stay really focused. I was a break down in the second, but I held my composure. I’m very excited for the final.”

Djokovic is now appearing in his 144th career tour-level final, his third of the season after Miami and Geneva. He’s aiming for his 101st career title and his first trophy on Greek soil.

The 38-year-old is also adding a bit of cultural flavor to his visit. He mentioned plans to attend the EuroLeague basketball game between Olympiakos Piraeus and Partizan Belgrade.

“The match wasn’t too long. I have to recover in the next couple of hours, but I’ll try to make it,” he laughed.

Musetti Survives a Wild Korda Battle to Reach the Final

While Djokovic cruised, Lorenzo Musetti had to grit his way through a rollercoaster three-setter against American Sebastian Korda, eventually winning 6-0, 5-7, 7-5 in two hours and 20 minutes.

The match swung dramatically. Musetti dominated early with a flawless bagel set, then saw Korda storm back to steal the second. In the deciding set, Musetti had to save a match point before clawing his way to the finish line.

“We both played a fantastic match,” Musetti said afterward. “The level was very high, and it was intense for the crowd. I’m happy I stayed focused and kept believing.”

Musetti, ranked world No. 9, is hunting the third ATP title of his career, following wins in Naples and Hamburg. But the young Italian has also endured plenty of heartbreak on the big stage — he has finished runner-up five times, including twice this season.

“I wasn’t really lucky with finals in the past years,” he admitted. “Hopefully this will change tomorrow. I am playing for two goals, and I am already focusing on tomorrow.”

One of those goals, of course, is qualification for the ATP Finals in Turin, which would be a milestone moment for the 23-year-old.

A Perfect Ending for the First Hellenic Championship

Tennis fans always dream of a final featuring the top two seeds, and this first edition of the Hellenic Championship is delivering exactly that. Djokovic and Musetti both praised the matchup and expressed excitement about showcasing top-tier tennis in Athens.

“No. 1 seed against No. 2 seed is a dream final,” Djokovic said. “I have a very good win score against him, but he is looking for a place at the ATP Finals and needs to win the tournament. He plays well and that’s what everyone wants to see: high-quality tennis.”

The head-to-head record is heavily one-sided: Djokovic leads 8-1. Their most recent meeting came earlier this season in Miami, where Djokovic won in straight sets.

Still, Musetti is a different player now, playing with confidence and urgency as he chases his season-defining goals.

A Final for the Fans in Athens

Djokovic closed his semifinal interview with an open invitation to the Greek crowd:

“I invite everyone to come back tomorrow. Let’s make the stadium full and let’s enjoy tennis.”

With the world’s most accomplished active player facing one of the sport’s rising stars — with history, ranking points, and a brand-new title on the line — fans in Athens are in for something special.