Western & Southern Open: Novak Djokovic Needs Win to Establish US Open Momentum

After winning the Rogers Cup only a week ago, Novak Djokovic needs to come out on top in the Western & Southern Open to gain the mental edge coming into the U.S. Open.

Djokovic seems to be getting back on track after a disappointing showing in Wimbledon and failing to medal at the Olympics in London. Djokovic dominated the field in the Rogers Cup—winning four of five matches in two sets.

Djokovic is heating up at just the right time. The Rogers Cup and Western & Southern Open are both played on the same hard surface that Djokovic will see in New York at the U.S. Open.

After high-profile losses to Juan Martin del Potro (Olympics), Roger Federer (Wimbledon) and Rafael Nadal (French Open), Djokovic desperately needs a win to reestablish himself as one of the elite tennis players in the world.

With Federer on the opposite side of the draw, Djokovic will have the opportunity to get a much-needed confidence boost against elite competition.

The U.S. Open will go a long way in defining the type of year that Djokovic has had. 

He started off 2012 by winning the Australian Open in impressive fashion, beating three top-five players to earn the championship (David Ferrer, Andy Murray and Nadal). However, he has struggled to recapture that dominance on grass and clay throughout the year.

Holding the No. 2 ranking in the world, Djokovic will need a U.S. Open championship if he wants to finish the year No. 1 and be considered the Player of the Year for winning two of the four Grand Slam titles.

As Aug. 27 approaches, and the tennis world prepares for the final Grand Slam of the year, Djokovic finds himself in a good position to claim his spot atop the world rankings.

He first must continue his tear through the Western & Southern Open.