CINCINNATI: Rafael Nadal marked an historic changing of the guard in tennis with a quarterfinal win at the Cincinnati Masters on Friday, ensuring Roger Federer will fall from the summit after more than four years.
The patient Spaniard, who has chased the Swiss for three seasons in a good-natured rivalry, guaranteed he will claim the World No. 1 ranking this month with a 7-6(3), 6-1 victory over Ecuador’s Nicolas Lapentti.
By reaching the semifinals, Nadal is assured of overtaking Federer on August 18 at the latest. If he can carry on to claim the title on Sunday he can claim the top spot on Monday.
