Djokovic makes Masters history
August 15, 2011
HEAD racquet rebel Novak Djokovic wielded his YouTek IG Speed MP with deadly accuracy to win his ninth title of the season with victory at the Rogers Cup over American Mardy Fish 6-2, 3-6, 6-4. It marked another record in 2011 for the form player of the circuit as Djokovic became the first man to ever win five ATP World Tour Masters 1000 events in one season.
“I’m not getting tired of this (victories), it was a pleasure playing against Mardy. My team and I have done it again,” said Djokovic, who ended with a service winner. “It’s so great to win another title especially as we played a great match; I had a few lucky points in the third set to break.” Djokovic came through on his fourth match point after Fish saved the first three on errors from the Serb, also the Canadian champion in 2007.
Novak backed up his world No. 1 status, which he earned through his Wimbledon title, by beating Fish for the seventh time without a loss. He has won 53 of 54 matches played in 2011 and stands 27-13 in career finals. Djokovic also won the 2011 Masters Events at Indian Wells, Miami, Madrid and Rome.
Djokovic becomes the first since Pete Sampras in 1993 to win his first title after claiming the top ATP ranking. Djokovic will bid for his tenth title when he plays the Cincinnati Masters, last major tune-up before the start of the US Open on August 29.
In the parallel women’s event in Toronto, Victoria Azarenka reached the semi final. But then had little luck as the fourth seed from Belarus lost to later champion Serena Williams 6-3, 6-3. “I was doing a little bit too many unforced errors and didn’t take my chances,” said Azarenka. “But semi-final is still a pretty good tournament.