Novak Djokovic beats Mardy Fish to win Rogers Cup
Last updated on .From the section Tennis
World number one Novak Djokovic beat American Mardy Fish 6-2 3-6 6-4 to win the Rogers Cup in Montreal on Sunday.
The Serbian becomes the first-ever player to claim five ATP World Tour Masters 1000 titles in the same season.
Djokovic has a 53-1 record in 2011, his only defeat coming against Roger Federer in the French Open semi-finals.
"I am human, I can definitely assure you of that," Djokovic joked. "I've been playing incredible tennis this year," the 24-year-old conceded.
"I'm aware of the fantastic year that I've had and a great streak but I'm not thinking how many matches will I lose? I'm thinking how many matches will I win?"
Djokovic also has Masters victories to his name at Indian Wells, Miami, Madrid and Rome to add to his Australian Open and Wimbledon crowns this year.
"Every knock he's answered 10-fold this year," said Fish. "It's been incredibly impressive. To win Indian Wells and Miami back-to-back is incredible.
"Then the two clay-court events, I mean, no one thought that that could be possible. He did it with straight sets both times. Pretty incredible."
Djokovic went into this match as the strong favourite and won the first set in 38 minutes, breaking Fish in both of his final service games.
But the American soon responded and he broke to take a 3-2 lead in the second, before holding serve thereafter to see out the set.
In the third, though, Djokovic demonstrated the skill which has enabled him to enjoy such a successful season, breaking to love for a 3-2 lead and then producing a faultless game on serve for a 5-3 advantage.
Fish saved three match points but the world number one sealed the win with an ace.
The victory makes Djokovic the first player since Pete Sampras in 1993 to capture an ATP tournament in his debut as number one, and leaves him a strong favourite to win a first US Open title next month.
"I will be probably one of the favourites," said Djokovic. "This is nothing different from what I have experienced in Grand Slams in last couple of years. Being one of the top players, you always have these expectations.
"My approach will not be different, that's for sure, for this Grand Slam. I will try to win every match I play, not change any routine that I have.
"There is plenty of motivation and desire to continue on and play well and win matches and win tournaments."
