RANKED 255th in the world, Slovenian qualifier Alex Molcan will try to do the unthinkable and knock off world number one Novak Djokovic in his home country of Serbia in the Belgrade Open final. Whilst 254 ranking places separate the pair, both earned their spots in the decider following wins over their respective opponents. Djokovic toppled another Slovenian qualifier in Andrej Martin in what was a tougher-than-expected three-set contest, whilst Molcan toppled eighth seed Federico Delbonis in a come-from-behind win.

Molcan had not won a main draw match coming into the Serbia Open, having lost both previous encounters, but the 23-year-old Slovenian showed he had come to play at the 250 event, fighting back from a set down to claim the win over Delbonis in two hours and 42 minutes, 4-6 6-4 6-4. Molcan won 62 and 41 per cent of his first and second serve points, and saved a whopping 13 of 19 break points, whilst breaking his opponent seven of 15 times, and that extra break proved the difference in the deciding set.

“I’m really happy about today’s win,” Molcan said post-match. “This is the biggest win of my career, of course. I will play my first final at ATP level against Djokovic, and I couldn’t be happier. “I will try to enjoy tomorrow’s match [as much] as I can. “I will try to have fun, and we’ll see what will happen.”

Djokovic also needed three sets, having a second set scare against Martin before putting the foot down in the final set to run out a 6-1 4-6 6-0 winner in one hour and 55 minutes. He only served the one ace, and was well down on his usual dominance, broken three times, though he broke the Slovenian seven times himself and won 69 per cent of his second serve points to Martin’s 37 per cent during the victory. The win enabled Djokovic to play his first final in front of a home crowd since 2011 at a venue named after him – the Novak Tennis Centre – in what will be a heavy one-sided support base.

“I’m super excited to play in front of a Serbian crowd. This is my home town. I’m always excited, but also nervous, coming out on the court and playing in front of my home crowd,” Djokovic said post-match. “It’s a very unique feeling. You feel a lot of pressure and expectations. But I’m just happy to fight for a trophy tomorrow.”

Meanwhile over in Italy, United States’ Sebastian Korda booked his spot in the Emilia-Romagna Open final with a 6-3 6-3 triumph over sixth seed compatriot Tommy Paul. The world number 63 will eye off his maiden ATP Tour title in Parma, defeating Paul in one hour and 22 minutes, dominating his first serve with a 76 per cent success rate off a 72 per cent clip, and saving eight of nine break points. He also broke his fellow American four times to secure the win.

The other finalist in Parma is clay court specialist and home nation hero Marco Cecchinato, who knocked off Jaume Munar in three sets. The match lasted two hours and 40 minutes despite the final two sets combining for only one more game than the first one. After an epic tiebreaker that went in the favour of the Italian 7-2, opposing players won respective sets 6-1, for the Italian to salut 7-6 1-6 6-1 in the contest and book his spot in the Parma final to try and win his fourth ATP Tour title.

EMILIA-ROMAGNA OPEN SEMI-FINALS RESULTS:

Sebastian Korda (USA) defeated [6] Tommy Paul (USA) 6-3 6-3
[WC] Marco Cecchinato (ITA) defeated Jaume Munar (ESP) 7-6 1-6 6-1

BELGRADE OPEN SEMI-FINALS RESULTS:

[1] Novak Djokovic (SRB) defeated [Q] Andrej Martin (SLO) 6-1 4-6 6-0
[Q] Alex Molcan (SLO) defeated [8] Federico Delbonis (ARG) 4-6 6-4 6-4

Picture credit: ATP Tour