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Rafael Nadal plays Tommy Haas at the Western & Southern Financial Group Masters tournament in Cincinnati, Ohio today morning. Nadal won 6-4, 7-6 (7/0). |
In the wake of his third-round win over the German today morning, Nadal stands three victories away from taking the ATP top spot from Federer. If he claims the title on Sunday, the deal is sealed.
Croatia's Ivo Karlovic defeated Federer 7-6 (8/6), 4-6, 7-6 (5/7) to open the door to the change at the top after four-and-a-half years of Federer's reign.
Nadal, who defeated the 26-year-old Swiss in an epic Wimbledon final and won a fourth Roland Garros title, has been chasing Federer all season.
The 12-time grand slam winner has owned the top ranking for 235 weeks, fourth longest in the record books.
Fed disappointed
"It's disappointing, losing without getting broken, but it's not the first player it has happened to, especially to a guy like Ivo," Federer said after losing the first match in his career where his service was never broken.
"There's always danger in tough matches against Ivo. I knew that from the start."
Federer has no choice but to look ahead to the Beijing Olympics opening next Friday.
"So far it's OK," Federer said. "I guess I'll analyse and assess my game after the US Open.
"For the moment it's just all a blur. So many tournaments in a row, big tournaments in a row, it's hard.
"It's a tough trip we've got up in front of us now, going back to China and coming back to the Open.
"I'm looking forward for the next two tournaments. Those are really the ones that can make this season from a good one to a great one again. I hope I can manage to pull off something in the next couple of weeks."
