Korda Triumphs Over Popyrin in Athens; Tabilo Secures Clash with Djokovic for Third Win
Cazaux and Gaston Move Forward in Metz
November 02, 2025
Andrew Eichenholz/ATP Tour
Sebastian Korda claims victory over Alexei Popyrin in a thrilling three-set match on Sunday evening in Athens.
Reported by ATP Staff
Sebastian Korda’s debut in Greece is far from over.
After dropping the first set in the Vanda Pharmaceuticals Hellenic Championship to Alexei Popyrin, the American fought back to achieve a commendable 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 win.
“The match had its ups and downs, but I managed to elevate my game in the second set,” Korda commented. “His serve was strong; he scored eight aces in the first set. I was focused on just getting the ball back into play and seizing opportunities whenever they came. It’s always a challenge against him with that incredible serve and aggressive style.”
This marks the second encounter in the Lexus ATP Head2Head within a month, with Korda previously overcoming Popyrin in Stockholm in a similar three-set battle. In Athens, Korda outperformed Popyrin on second serve points, winning 66% of them compared to Popyrin’s 45%, as per Infosys ATP Stats.
The 25-year-old aims to continue his success in a city that has charmed him.
“It’s been fantastic exploring a bit, savoring the delicious local cuisine, and truly enjoying the atmosphere here,” Korda shared.
In other highlights, Alejandro Tabilo set the stage for an exhilarating match against top seed Novak Djokovic with a hard-fought 7-6(7), 6-7(6), 7-5 victory over Adam Walton that lasted three hours and three minutes. Tabilo currently leads Djokovic 2-0 in their head-to-head rivalry.
“It’s incredible! I checked out the center court yesterday, and it’s massive,” Tabilo remarked about the venue in Athens, where he’s gearing up to face Djokovic. “I’ve had the privilege of playing at Arthur Ashe Stadium during the US Open, and the atmosphere feels somewhat similar. I’m just thrilled to compete, even against someone like Djokovic—it’s going to be an unforgettable experience.”
Additionally, sixth seed Nuno Borges advanced following a solid 7-6(4), 6-3 victory over local wild card Stefanos Sakellaridis.
Cazaux and Gaston Shine in Metz
On Sunday, four French players took to the court at the Moselle Open in Metz, with Arthur Cazaux and Hugo Gaston moving on to the second round.
Cazaux battled past the skilled lefty Adrian Mannarino, winning 6-3, 7-6(4), while Gaston defeated Terence Atmane with a score of 6-4, 6-1.
