Novak Djokovic: Can the World No. 1 Keep His 2011 Run Going at US Open?

Novak Djokovic added another pot to his rather extensive collection on Sunday as he captured his second Rogers Cup title in Montreal. But can he extend his raid across the border in two weeks’ time at the U.S. Open?

The Serbian is the hot favourite to win his first ever title at Flushing Meadows, and why wouldn’t he be?

Djokovic has been on a streak this year that others can only dream of. His exploits have seen him capture the Australian Open and Wimbledon titles, along with a record five ATP Masters 1000 events.

If you rewind back to the same time last year, Djokovic had lost in the semifinals of the Rogers Cup to Roger Federer in three sets. He then went on to lose in the quarterfinals of Cincinnati before reaching his first ever U.S. Open final, where he eventually lost to world No. 1 Rafael Nadal.

Nadal, at the time, was on a streak similar to Djokovic’s. The U.S. Open victory was his third Grand Slam triumph of the year and completed his career Grand Slam.

The tables have all but turned this year.

Heading into the U.S. Open, Djokovic is 29-0 on hard courts and 53-1 overall. The only blemish in this rather stupefying record is a loss to Federer, one of the game’s greatest champions, at Roland Garros in May.

However, the Serbian’s record against Federer stands at 3-1 this year with wins at the Australian Open, Dubai and Indian Wells.

Against Nadal, his record is even more impressive.

Djokovic is unbeaten against the Spaniard this year in five meetings spread across all three surfaces—hard (Indian Wells and Miami), clay (Madrid and Rome) and grass (Wimbledon).

This has been one of the highlights of his form this year—his versatility.

While Federer has found clay to be his kryptonite and Nadal took a while to prove he’s more than just a clay-court player, Djokovic has conquered all three surfaces with consummate ease in a single year.

The merciless manner in which he is progressing through the season makes you wonder whether he is indeed human.

Djokovic put to rest such doubts in an interview with USA Today, “I am human— I can definitely assure you of that. I guess it's just all about having a positive attitude on the court every day, waking up every day wanting to improve, wanting to win, being determined, being professional. It's that desire and motivation that keeps me going.”

As Djokovic stormed to his maiden Wimbledon triumph and captured the world No. 1 ranking last month, people wondered if he would still have that desire and motivation left in him for the rest of the season.

The Nolenator responded by blasting away the opposition in Canada en route to becoming the first man since Pete Sampras in 1993 to win his first event after becoming No. 1. In doing so, Djokovic has sounded a warning to America—you’re next!

What makes him such a frightening opponent across the court is the fact that, as of the moment, he has no weaknesses as such.

His serves are powerful and accurate, his ground strokes are like cannon balls and his movement, due to his new diet, is at a whole new unreachable level altogether.

It’s amazing what some tasteless, gluten-free food can do to you! His rivals should really contemplate sneaking into his house at night while he is asleep and stuffing a pizza down his throat!

Djokovic’s main advantage over his rivals is that he is overwhelmingly tenacious when it comes to points. He is going to make you work your socks off and more for every single point!

The Serbian has one of the highest percentages of break-point conversion and is, unarguably, the best returner in the game today.

When you add to such qualities a resolute desire to succeed and a fearless approach to every single game, Novak Djokovic appears to be even more intimidating.

He warned, “Every match I play, I try to win—regardless which match it is or whoever is across the net.”

He has built an impregnable aura of invincibility around him, which has gotten even stronger since his rise to No. 1.

Djokovic is ready for the challenges that lie ahead of him—defending his ranking and, more importantly, justifying it.

“It is, probably, a little mental advantage when you get on the court, knowing you’re the player to beat,” he said. “But, on the other hand, it adds the pressure and expectations as well because you are the favourite to win each match you play, whoever you play.”

Djokovic’s win at Montreal seems to be the perfect catalyst for the rest of the season. A maiden U.S. Open win would be the icing on what has been a terrific cake so far. It would catapult him into the list of tennis greats, if he isn’t there already.

Djokovic notified his opponents, “I have recharged my batteries, and I am ready for the upcoming couple of months.”

Enemies beware!