Novak Djokovic, Victoria Azarenka triumph at Western & Southern Open

Novak Djokovic of Serbia poses with the winners trophy after defeating Milos Raonic of Canada in the mens singles final of the Western & Southern Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center; (Right) Victoria Azarenka, of Belarus, celebrates w

Serbian star Novak Djokovic and Victoria Azarenka of Belarus won men-s and women-s singles titles respectively at the ATP/WTA Western & Southern Open on Saturday.

World number one Djokovic defeated Canadian Milos Raonic in the final 1-6, 6-3, 6-4 to take the men-s title and completed his second career Masters sweep, reports Xinhua news agency.

Djokovic, who is now enjoying a perfect 23-0 in 2020, is the only player in history to win all nine ATP Masters 1000 titles. And now he has claimed them all twice. The 33-year-old also tied Rafael Nadal-s record for most Masters 1000 trophies with 35.

"I am trying to make the most of my career, trying to use this time when I feel that I am physically, mentally, emotionally, game-wise at my peak and playing some of the best tennis that I have ever played," Djokovic said. "Going on an unbeaten run so far this year obviously brings even more confidence each match."

It wasn-t easy for the Serbian, though. Djokovic got off to a sluggish start in the first set against Raonic and had to dig deep to find his best form, clinching his 80th tour-level title after two hours- battle.

"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."

In women-s singles final, Azarenka won the title even without swinging her racket as her Japanese opponent Naomi Osaka withdrew citing a left hamstring injury, leaving Azarenka to claim her 21st WTA tour title.

The Japanese player said: "I-m sorry to have to withdraw today with an injury. I pulled my left hamstring yesterday in the second set tiebreak and it has not recovered overnight as I had hoped. This has been an emotional week and I want to thank everyone for the outpouring of support."

Osaka defeated Elise Mertens of Belgium in the previous matchday.

"I think it-s unfortunate because I was actually really looking forward to competing against Naomi," Azarenka said. "It would have been an amazing opportunity to face her level, and she-s been playing really great. I lost to her the last time that we played, so I was really looking forward to that."

"And playing the final is always really special. I just have to accept what it is. I would have loved to have played, but I played some really good matches this week, and I think I deserve to be where I am today," added Azarenka, a two-time Grand Slam champion.

In women-s doubles, Kveta Peschke of the Czech Republic and Demi Schuurs of the Netherlands got past Xu Yifan from China and American Nicole Melichar 6-1, 4-6, 10-4 to claim the title while Pablo Carreno Busta of Spain and Australian Alex De Minaur overcame British team of Jamie Murray and Neal Skupski 6-2, 7-5 to win the men-s doubles title.

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