NOVAK Djokovic is clearly the only person winning in the world that is 2020, with the world number one claiming a remarkable 23rd straight win this year on his way to a second Career Golden Masters. If becoming the only playing in history to win all nine ATP Masters 1000 titles was not enough, then he decided to do it twice, defeating Canadian Milos Raonic 1-6 6-3 6-4 to achieve the feat.

The ATP Masters 1000 win also moves him up to equal first with Rafael Nadal on 35 career Masters titles. The 35th trophy was not an easy one to win though, dropping the first set in a rare disappointing 6-1 loss, before bouncing back and holding off an in-form Raonic to win in just over two hours.

“I would like to thank my team for hanging in there,” Djokovic said post-match. “Tough match yesterday, three hours. “I would like to take this opportunity to say hello to all the Cincinnati fans and tennis fans around the world. “We miss you guys. “It feels quite strange to be in these conditions and circumstances, but we all hope for a better tomorrow and you are one of the biggest reasons why we play professional tennis, so hopefully we can see you very, very soon.”

Djokovic had never lost to the Canadian in 10 matches but Raonic was on from the first serve, living up to his pre-match promise of attacking everything and not allowing the world number one to get any momentum in the match.

“The first set obviously he was playing great, I made some double faults, handed two breaks to him,” Djokovic said. “It’s always hard playing Milos. “He has one of the best serves in the game, puts so much pressure on your service games. “He steps in, he’s going more for his shots from the back of the court.”

Raonic was in such good form, Djokovic could not even create a break point opportunity in the opening set. But as he has done his whole career – and even as recently as the semi-final where he came back from Roberto Bautista-Agut serving for the match – Djokovic just found a way and he got on top again. He admitted he was far from 100 per cent, having had a persistent sore neck throughout the week.

“In the past three, four days, I struggled a little bit with my physical condition, but I managed to pull this one through,” Djokovic said. “It was a very close encounter all the way through the last shot. It was anybody’s game.”

Now with the US Open starting tomorrow, the Serbian star is hoping to increase that 23-0 record even further. An 18th career Grand Slam title would extend it out to 30-0 and edge him ever close to the unheard of feat of going unbeaten in a calendar year. His US Open campaign begins on Tuesday against Damir Dzumhur.