Preview Hellenic Championship: 'Local favorite' Novak Djokovic aims to break semi-final slump as Musetti faces Korda in last-chance ATP Finals bid

In the final week of competition on the men's Tour before the ATP Finals, the Hellenic Championships has grabbed attention, with Novak Djokovic as the top favorite in the city of Athens—his new residence—and a great run by Lorenzo Musetti, who has a live chance to qualify for the ATP Finals.

The two favorites have reached the semi-finals and hope to advance for a luxury final between two Top-10 players, something not too common in an ATP 250 event. Djokovic will face qualifier Yannick Hanfmann, while Musetti will have a difficult commitment against the resurging American Sebastian Korda.

Novak Djokovic continues a good campaign in Athens, where he arrived as the top seed and is using it as preparation for the ATP Finals. The tournament, owned by the Djokovic family and directed by Djordje Djokovic, was held in Belgrade until last year. However, Nole's change of residence amidst conflicts with the Serbian government led to Nole settling in Athens, and his family also relocating the ATP 250 tournament to the Telekom Center Athens, site of the 2004 Athens Olympics.

The World No. 4 had a great debut against Alejandro Tabilo, taking revenge for the two consecutive losses he had suffered against the Chilean in Rome 2024 and Monte-Carlo 2025. In the quarter-finals, he had no trouble overcoming 6th seed Nuno Borges in a duel where his first-serve effectiveness (86%) was one of the high points for Nole, who has managed to find consistency in his serve to remain competitive at 38. Djokovic achieved a new career milestone by reaching 200 wins on indoor hardcourt.

The former World No. 1 advanced to the semi-finals for the 8th time this season, although he has not had the best results this year when reaching the Last 4. The former No. 1 played 7 semi-finals this year—including all 4 Grand Slams—but only reached the final twice (Geneva and Miami). The Serb seeks his third final of the season against the German Hanfmann, whose campaign is notable considering his 5 consecutive wins starting from the qualifying rounds.

Hanfmann has only conceded one set so far in the tournament—in the second round against Vit Kopriva—and is one win away from returning to the Top 100. The German has recent experience facing Nole a few weeks ago at the Shanghai Masters, where the Serb won in the second round, coming back from a set down (4-6, 7-5, 6-3).

The World No. 9 Lorenzo Musetti remains clinging to the possibility of qualifying for the ATP Finals after reaching the semi-finals in Athens. The Italian was in the qualification zone for much of the year, but the strong campaigns of Felix Auger-Aliassime in recent months—including a title and an appearance in the Paris Masters final—ended up giving him enough points to take the 8th spot and momentarily leave Musetti out of Turin.

However, a last-minute wildcard—and Felix's withdrawal from Metz—give Musetti the chance to secure qualification, although he necessarily needs the title in Athens. Musetti will play his 7th ATP-level semi-final of the season, though he only reached the final twice—losing both (Monte-Carlo against Carlos Alcaraz and Chengdu against Tabilo).

The Italian has not been without difficulties in Athens, where he was two points away from losing the opening match against Stan Wawrinka, before securing a comeback victory 4-6, 7-6(5), 6-4. The 23-year-old then defeated Alexandre Muller easily and now awaits Sebastian Korda, who has struggled with injuries in the past year but, with confidence, has the level to be much higher than his current poor ranking of No. 52. The American defeated Alex de Minaur (7th), Damir Dzumhur, and Miomir Kecmanovic on his way, guaranteeing his third semi-final appearance in 2025 and ensuring his return to the Top 50 before the end of the season.

With 4 previous encounters, both have taken two wins each, though they haven't faced each other since 2022. Of the four duels, the two matches on indoor hard ended in favor of Korda—including the Next Gen ATP Finals 2021. This time, both are aiming for a final and dreaming of the possibility of ending the season with a major title.