The new ATP 250 event in Athens (Hellenic Championship) feature some big names and today we have a decent quarterfinal clash as top seed Novak Djokovic takes on Portugal’s Nuno Borges. The match represents the first career meeting between the two players.
Djokovic, a 24-time Grand Slam champion, is competing in his first tournament since the Shanghai Masters and received a first-round bye. He began his Athens campaign with a 7-6(3), 6-1 victory over Alejandro Tabilo, a win that was particularly meaningful as Tabilo had won their two previous encounters. The Serbian star seem to enjoy playing in what he now considers a home tournament, having recently moved to the Greek capital. This event also serves as a final tune-up for him, before the season-ending Nitto ATP Finals.
His opponent today, Nuno Borges, the sixth seed, secured his place in the quarterfinal after a hard-fought three-set win against American qualifier Eliot Spizzirri. Prior to that, the world No. 47 defeated local wildcard Stefanos Sakellaridis in straight sets. Borges has cause some big upsets earlier in his career and will like his chances here today against one of the greats.
Predictions and Odds for Djokovic vs Borges
Despite Borges’s solid run, the odds heavily favor Djokovic, at around 1.15 (-625) while a win for Borges gives 5.00 (+400). The top seed will aim to secure a straight-sets victory and move closer to claiming yet another ATP title. I think Borges will give him a challenge today and that we will see three sets. Overall he doesn’t have all the weapons though, against a Djokovic that looks motivated.
