Match Report
Korda passes Popyrin test in Athens, Tabilo earns chance at third win against Djokovic
Cazaux, Gaston advance in Metz
November 02, 2025
Andrew Eichenholz/ATP Tour
Sebastian Korda beats Alexei Popyrin in three sets Sunday evening in Athens.
By ATP Staff
Sebastian Korda is not ready for his first trip to Greece to end.
Despite losing his opening set of the Vanda Pharmaceuticals Hellenic Championship against Alexei Popyrin Sunday evening, the American rallied for a 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 victory.
“It was up and down, but overall I think I improved my level in the second set,” Korda said. “He was serving great. In the first set he had eight aces, so I was just trying to put it back in the court and try to take my chances whenever I could. But [it is] always very difficult with him, he’s got an incredible serve and is very aggressive.”
It was the pair’s second Lexus ATPHead2Head meeting in the past month, with Korda also defeating Popyrin in three sets in Stockholm. In Athens, Korda defended his second serve much better than his opponent, winning 66 per cent of those points compared to 45 per cent for Popyrin according to Infosys ATP Stats.
The 25-year-old hopes to keep the good times rolling in a city he has enjoyed.
“It’s been amazing, walking around a little bit, enjoying the great food that they have here and just really enjoying it,” Korda said.
In other action, Alejandro Tabilo set an interesting match against top seed Novak Djokovic with a 706(7), 6-7(6), 7-5 triumph against Adam Walton in three hours and three minutes. Tabilo leads Djokovic 2-0 in their rivalry.
“It’s amazing. I went to see it yesterday and it’s huge,” Tabilo said of the centre court in Athens, where he will likely take on the Serbian. “I’ve played thankfully now at the US Open in Arthur Ashe [Stadium], kind of feel like that atmosphere. I’m just really excited to play, even with Djokovic there, it’s just going to be crazy.”
Sixth seed Nuno Borges also advanced with a 7-6(4), 6-3 win against Greek wild card Stefanos Sakellaridis.
Cazaux, Gaston advance in Metz
Four Frenchmen were in action Sunday at the Moselle Open in Metz, where Arthur Cazaux and Hugo Gaston moved into the second round.
Cazaux eliminated tricky lefty Adrian Mannarino 6-3, 7-6(4) and Gaston ousted Terence Atmane 6-4, 6-1.
