Serbia Supreme!

The best Men's Tennis Team in the world as judged by Davis Cup glory is Serbia's.  And without a single shred of doubt, the best male player in 2011 comes from this country of only a shade over 7 million people.

Coming into the Australian Open earlier this year, most tennis followers and the supposed experts amongst them were wondering how the battle for number one would wage between Rafa and Roger, and which of Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic would take a firm grip of the number 3 spot, albeit somewhat beneath the mighty two.

Well history tells us that Novak would destroy Federer on the way to a final that was as one sided as most of the Serena Williams ones have tended to be.  Andy Murray was blown away, and as his results have proven since he has been badly scarred mentally.

Roger too cannot pass the Djokovic hurdle - 3 times a loser to the Serb in 2011, but the most impressive stat is not the winning streak - that is fantastic don't get me wrong - it is how Novak has silenced his doubters by beating the best player (up until now that is) on the planet in finals at successive Masters events.

Indian Wells was a triumph because of the fight to come from a set down.  Miami was even more so because of the heat factor - something Novak has had problems dealing with in the past.  Additionally he opened the match abysmally giving Nadal every chance to build on the momentum and run away with a straight sets win.

We now have a more committed Djokovic - yes he fought back to a set all, but even at 5-6 in the decider he was facing 15-30.  Calm precise shot making forced a tie breaker and it was Nadal who felt the heat of Miami but more so from the Serbian shots. 

Rafa may yet prevail on clay (as has been his habit) later this year, but watch out for the new number 2 who is fast putting space between himself and Federer.  Number one is attainable.  Nadal has 3 Grand Slam titles to defend amongst the 11,000 or so points left from last year.  Djokovic only has to defend another 5200.

Fun times at the very top of mens tennis, and all sorts of movement in the ranks below. eg who'd have thought Mardy Fish 11 ahead of Andy Roddick 14 as the top ranked American?