"It's like playing in Serbia": Novak Djokovic rides energy of Athens crowd into semifinals

The atmosphere heated up in the late afternoon Thursday at the Vanda Pharmaceuticals Hellenic Championship when Novak Djokovic first stepped onto the Center Court for a quick practice session—and later in the evening for his first meeting with Portuguese Nuno Borges.

Needing some time to find his rhythm, the top seed eventually edged ahead with a one-set lead. Supported by the Greek crowd, Djokovic gained the first and only break in the seventh game of the second set.

From then on, the 38-year-old didn’t look back and secured 7-6 (1), 6-4 victory in one hour and 43 minutes with a powerful forehand winner down the line.

“Kalispéra,” Djokovic greeted the spectators in Greek at the start of his on-court interview before reacting to his latest encounter.

“It was a very physical battle. I thought Nuno played a high level. I served well in the important moments. There weren’t too many opportunities. I was a bit surprised with how good he played. I think we went toe to toe, most of the match,” said Djokovic, who won 88 percent of his first-service points to become the first active player on the ATP Tour to record 200 indoor wins.

“Just a few points decided the winner tonight and he deserves a round of applause for his performance. I played a great tie-break in the first set. Not too many opportunities for both of us to break the serve of the other guy. That game was the only game I was able to break him.”

The Athens resident was equally complimentary of the overall vibes he's experienced this week.

“The support by the crowd is amazing and it gets better. For me it’s like playing in Serbia. I am very thankful for that,” Djokovic stated.

Up next for Djokovic will be German qualifier Yannick Hanfmann, who continued his fine run of form with a 7-6 (3), 6-4 win over American Marcos Giron. The 33-year-old Karlsruhe native struck nine aces and won 56 percent of the total points played to advance in one hour and 28 minutes.

“It was really good match from start to finish,” Hanfmann said after reaching his ninth semifinal on the ATP Tour, his first since Chengdu in September last year.

The pair recently met at the ATP Masters 1000 in Shanghai, when Hanfmann pushed Djokovic to the limit before eventually falling in three sets. What does the world No. 117 expect from another clash with the 24-time Grand Slam champion?

“When I’m able to serve well again, I might have the chance to stay as long as possible in the match,” Hanfmann responded.

“I played well in Shanghai but expect more rallies tomorrow, as the balls don’t bounce very high here. It feels a bit like playing on grass here. But I played well throughout the week, and I am really looking forward to the match tomorrow.”