Novak Djokovic is aiming to cap a fantastic 2011 season this week by winning the Paris Masters for a second time.
Djokovic has already set a new record this year by becoming the first man ever to win five Masters 1000 titles in a year. If he can add to his tally by triumphing in Paris again, he will have set a mark which is nigh unbreakable.
However the sheer quantity of matches he's played this year has begun to take its toll and on his return to the tour in Basel last week, Djokovic looked quite shaky before losing in three sets to Kei Nishikori in the semis, a loss he put down to a shoulder injury he's carried for the past two months.
"I changed the technique of my serve a little bit. I was forcing it too much because of the injury I have," Djokovic said. "I've carried it since the US Open and I'm still afraid something is going to happen [with my shoulder]. My rhythm with the serve is not good right now."
Unfortunately the draw in Paris has not been particularly kind and he could face Nishikori again in the third round. If he gets through that then Jo-Wilfried Tsonga will probably await in the quarters.
Much will depend on how the shoulder is faring as on a surface this quick, Djokovic will be vulnerable to the big hitters unless he can pick up cheap points.
