Nadal has finally done it. He beat Nicholas Lapentti in straight sets and now will assume the No. 1 position on August 18th, the latest. But he might actually do it as soon as Sunday if he beats Djokovic tomorrow.
I like both Nadal and Federer. Both are great players, but it wouldn’t really be fare to Nadal if he did not achieve the No. 1 position. I am sure Djokovic and Federer will push Nadal in the coming year for the spot and the battle will be much closer than the last 4 years, but for now, Nadal is No. 1 and he has a good chance of finishing the year as No. 1.
The more important issue at hand is the Nadal Djokovic match tomorrow. The No. 2 and 1 favorites for the U.S. Open will face each other tomorrow in a match that could determine who will lift the U.S. Open trophy. Nadal has a unique chance of pulling a Grand Slam if he wins the U.S. Open and backs that up in Australia. But hard courts are Djokovic’s court, and unlike Federer I don’t expect Novak to relinquish his title as the best hard court player in the world.
Tennis has never been so exciting in the past 5 years. Congratulations Rafa!