Djokovic's Perfect Hardcourt Season: Closing in on No. 1

t all began in December of last year, when Novak Djokovic led Serbia to its first-ever Davis Cup championship by winning his two singles matches. He has not lost since, collecting four titles along the way, including his second major:

Dubai (5-0): Defeated Federer in the final
Australian Open (7-0): Defeated Murray in the final
Indian Wells (6-0): Defeated Nadal in the final
Miami (6-0): Defeated Nadal in the final

With 4,500 points to begin the season, World No. 2 Djokovic leads the race to the ATP World Tour Finals, and has been steadily closing in on World No. 1 Rafael Nadal. Only 3,170 points separate the two players.

Having had a perfect claycourt season last year where he went 22-0, Nadal now has the burden of defending 5,000 points. Djokovic didn't do as well on clay last year, and only has 945 points to defend. If Novak can steal a title or two from Rafa, we could be looking at a new No. 1 player sooner, rather than later.

Djokovic in Miami Masters Final, Now 23-0 in 2011

World No. 2 Novak Djokovic defeated newly installed American No. 1 Mardy Fish in the semifinals of the Miami Masters. He now awaits the winner of the Nadal-Federer semifinal and will be attempting to achieve the Indian Wells-Miami double, last achieved by Roger Federer in 2005 and 2006.

The "super Serb" extends his 2011 winning streak to 23-0. It is the best start to a season since Ivan Lendl was 28-0 in 1986.

Djokovic defeated both Federer (semifinal) and Nadal (final) en route to the Indian Wells title; now he just needs to beat one of them to claim the Miami Masters shield. King of the hardcourts, anyone?