By Matt Hursh Photo Credit: Matthew Stockman/Getty Images
(August 14, 2011) In his first full tournament as the World No. 1, not much changed for Novak Djokovic. The top ranked Serb continued his spectacular run in 2011 by outlasting Mardy Fish in the finals in Montreal by a score of 6-2, 3-6, 6-4.
With the win, Djokovic moves his record this year to 53-1, with his only loss coming in the French Open semifinals to Roger Federer. The Rogers Cup victory is his ninth of the year and the 29th of the 24-year-old blossoming career.
After taking a first set in which he saved six break points and earned two breaks of his own, Djokovic looked to have the match in hand as the second set begun despite not playing his best tennis. However, a slight change in strategy propelled the American back into the match.
Fish, who has now reached the finals of four consecutive US Open Series tournaments, fought back by playing aggressively, mixing in some net play with an array of forceful groundstrokes. A powerful forehand down the line earned Fish his first break of the match to take a 3-2 lead in the second set.
The shot-making seemed to fluster Djokovic, who was visibly upset with his play at the time. It was apparent that the Serb was aware that it was a crucial point in the match, as he had missed the opportunity to put Fish away and cruise to victory.
Fish promptly consolidated the break with a service hold and broke Djokovic again, making him the first player to take a set off the World No. 1 in Montreal.
But like he has done all season, Djokovic recovered from the rough patch to come back even stronger. He played impeccably on his serve in the decisive third set, making 68 percent of his first serves and winning 21 of 28 service points. He needed four break points to finally put away Fish, one of which he challenged and lost.
The title in Montreal also put Djokovic in the record books as the first player to win five ATP Masters 1000 tournaments in one season. However, the four straight finals appearances still put Fish atop the US Open Series standings with two weeks left until the US Open begins.
Both will be in action in Cincinnati next week, where Djokovic is the No. 1 seed and Fish will be seeded 7. They have each received a bye into the second round.