Rafael Nadal's rise to the top of the world rankings will now take place next week after he slipped to a surprise defeat to Novak Djokovic at the Cincinnati Masters semifinal last night.

Nadal's loss means he will officially take over No. 1 for the first time in the South African Airways ATP Rankings on Aug. 18. Nadal could have taken over No. 1 on Monday if he won the title or on Aug. 11 by reaching the final.

Novak made light work of Nadal as he recorded a 6-1 7-5 victory and snapped a 32-match win streak for Nadal, who was last defeated on May 7 by compatriot and former No.1 Juan Carlos Ferrero in Rome, with Nadal suffering from foot blisters.

"I played the best summer hard season in my life, so I'm very happy for that," said Nadal, who is 64-8 on the season with seven titles. "Today he played unbelievable in the first set."




"In the second set I felt well and in some moments I felt I was playing better than him. Finally, he beat me. I just congratulate him because he's playing well."

Djokovic ended a three-match losing streak to Nadal and improved to 4-2 on hard courts against the left-hander from Mallorca. Overall, Nadal leads the career series 9-4.

"Well, nobody is unbeatable, obviously, but the way he was playing we all thought that he's not going to lose any time soon," said Djokovic. "I just tried not to think about his winning streak and his new ranking spot. Not official still. I tried just to focus on my game and I won against him three times before on this surface, and I know what it takes to win against him on hard courts. I got the best out of it in last couple of matches we played in this surface. I knew that I have to step in and be aggressive and take the chances that have been given me, so that what's did."

"Day after day I'm getting stronger in the segment of my game which is really important coming up to the final stages of the tournament," said the winner.

"Rafa always gives 100 percent in every match and on any surface. It was a challenge and I accepted it."

Nadal will become just the third Spaniard to take hold of the No. 1 position, joining Carlos Moya (1999) and Juan Carlos Ferrero (2003).

"I feel happy because for sure I will be number one," said Nadal. "It's been hard work for a long, long time."

"But there's to time to enjoy. I have Olympics in one week."

Djokovic will now face Andy Murray in Sunday's final after the Scot overcame Ivo Karlovic in straight sets 6-4 6-4.


(source AFP, photo/Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Novak Djokovic stuns Nadal to reach Cincinnati final