Novak Djokovic wants to end the year at Number 1 in the ATP world rankings–and his performance in China is helping his chances. The masterly Serb lost only six points on his first serve while dispatching Vasek Pospisil (6-3, 7-5) in round 2 of the Chinese Open. Djokovic has never lost a match at the Chinese Open–he has a career record in Beijing of 21-0.
“You work all your life and you dream about becoming the No. 1 in the world, the best in what you do,” Reuters reports Djokovic as saying. “That’s why I’m out here in Beijing and Shanghai, competing and trying to get that year-end No. 1.” For a long while in his career, it looked like Djokovic would always be the third wheel on a two-wheel juggernaut at the top of the world rankings–those two wheels being Rafa Nadal and Roger Federer. But those days are long behind the dominant Serb. Djokovic most recently regained the world No. 1 spot in July after his Wimbledon victory. But he has been ranked No. 1 before, having first ascended there in 2011 after having perhaps the best year in tennis history–winning three Grand Slams and ten tournaments in all.
