• What the Deuce

Djokovic steals a march on his rivals ahead of US Open

Novak Djokovic's confidence is sky high © PA Photos

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They say winning is a habit and, ominously for his rivals, winning titles is becoming customary practice for Novak Djokovic.

Sunday's three-set victory over Mardy Fish at the Rogers Cup in Montreal was the Serb's ninth title of the year and 53rd win from 54 matches in 2011. And the staggering statistics don't stop there; playing in his first event since usurping Rafael Nadal at the top of the rankings, the 24-year old became the first player since Pete Sampras in 1993 to claim an ATP tournament in his first outing as world No. 1.

Winning, it would seem, is now routine for Djokovic and it is rapidly becoming addictive. "I'm not getting tired of this [winning]," he said, following his latest triumph. "My team and I have done it again. It's so great to win another title. It's that desire and motivation that keeps me going. Every match I play, I try to win, regardless which match is it or whoever is across the net."

Sometimes when sportsmen reel off the traditional victory speech it can smack of convenient rhetoric, but that's not the case with Djokovic, certainly not at the moment. You can see the confidence that's coursing through his veins and the inner belief he possesses just by watching his demeanour and the way he is carrying himself. He is thriving in his new found self, flourishing despite the growing pressure for him to keep on producing the goods every time he takes to the court.

And the secret to his success? One word, dedication.

"I am human - I can definitely assure you of that," he said. "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."

Triumphing in Canada ensured Djokovic became the first man since 1990 to win five Masters 1000 tournaments in a season - astounding when you consider there are only nine in a season. Apart from adding another title to his burgeoning collection, arguably more importantly Djokovic gave his preparations for the US Open a timely boost. His game looked in good order, so much so that en route to the final he didn't drop a single set. With the final grand slam of the year commencing on August 29, preparations are reaching a crucial stage and, if nothing else, Djokovic's 27th career title has helped to put miles in the legs.

The same cannot be said of Rafael Nadal, Britain's Andy Murray or 16-time grand slam champion Roger Federer. The next three players in the world standings will be eyeing a long run in Cincinnati after making early exits in Montreal. Federer chalked up one victory but was exposed, once again, by Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, while Nadal and Murray lost in the second round to Croatia's Ivan Dodig and South Africa's Kevin Anderson respectively. Murray was sluggish against his big-serving opponent and failed to find any spark and, although he took a set off Ivan Dodig, Nadal clearly showed signs of rust too.

It doesn't matter who you are, no amount of training can replicate a match situation, the intensity and pressure simply isn't comparable. Murray said he felt brilliant after adjusting his diet and preparation and yet when he took to the court he felt slow and laboured. In the long term, taking a six-week break after his semi-final defeat at Wimbledon, will undoubtedly serve the Scot well but he, along with Federer and Nadal, need to get back to winning ways sooner rather than later because the player they're all trying to topple is currently making it look like a one man show.

Djokovic will be gunning for a third grand slam of the year at Flushing Meadows following his Australian Open and Wimbledon titles. The Serb has raised his level dramatically, profiting from playing regularly and winning, well, almost without exception and, despite all the grand slam titles shared between Nadal and Federer, he'll be the one to beat at the US Open.

Djokovic is in the habit of winning, and it's pretty clear it's a hard habit to break.

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