Scotland's Andy Murray beat world number three Novak Djokovic 7-6, 7-6 to win the Cincinnati Masters yesterday, and will climb three places in the ATP rankings to a career-best sixth.

In doing so, the 21-year-old Scot becomes the first Briton to win a major title since Tim Henman in 2003, and makes him a serious contender for the forthcoming Beijing Olympics and US Open.

Djokovic ends Nadal's winning streak
By: thinkSPAIN
Sunday, August 3, 2008

Rafael Nadal's 1-6, 5-7 defeat against Novak Djokovic in the semi-final of the Cincinnati Masters last night means that he will have to wait until August 18th to clinch Roger Federer's world number one ranking.

The Serbian third seed next faces Scotland's Andy Murray in today's final, who booked his place with a comfortable 6-4, 6-4 win against the man who knocked out Roger Federer, Croatia's Ivo Karlovic.

Nadal to face Djokovic in Cincinnati semi
By: thinkSPAIN
Saturday, August 2, 2008

No matter what happens against Novak Djokovic today, Rafael Nadal will become world number one by August 18th at the latest after beating unseeded Ecuadorian Nicolas Lapentti to reach the semi-finals of the Cincinnati Masters yesterday.

Should Nadal go on to win the tournament, he will oust his Swiss rival immediately though if he beats Djokovic, but loses in the final, the 22 year old Roland Garros and Wimbledon champion would have to wait until August 11th.

Including yesterday's win, Nadal is now unbeaten in 32 matches and bidding for a sixth consecutive title.

Spain's other quarter final survivor, Carlos Moyà, was beaten by Scotland's Andy Murray, who came from behind to beat the Mallorcan former world number one 2-6, 6-3, 6-1.

Murray next faces in-form Croat, Ivo Karlovic, who beat Germany's Philipp Kohlschreiber 7-6 7-6.

Federer exit paves way for Nadal
By: thinkSPAIN
Friday, August 1, 2008

Rafael Nadal will end Roger Federer's four-and-a-half year reign as world number one if he can go all the way in this week's Cincinnati Masters.

Defending his title, Federer was beaten 6-7, 6-4, 6-7 in the third round yesterday by Croatia's big-serving 16th seed, Ivo Karlovic, opening the door for Nadal to become Spain's third world number one - joining Carlos Moyà (1999) and Juan Carlos Ferrero (2003).

The Roland Garros and Wimbledon champion progressed to the quarter finals yesterday with a 6-4, 7-6 win against Tommy Haas, and next faces the unseeded, but dangerous, Ecuadorian, Nicolas Lapentti, who has already seen off fifth and tenth seeds, David Ferrer and Fernando Verdasco, respectively.

After 158 weeks as world number two, Nadal knows that his moment is near: "Well, right now I know I'm in a good position, not because Roger has to win everything from here, from the Olympics to the US Open," he said. "I think if I win tomorrow I'm going to be number one. If I win tomorrow, in two weeks I'm going to be the number one. So it doesn't matter if I lose in Olympics in first round and Roger win, no? So tomorrow is going to be an important match."

Related news:
  
Nadal closes in on top spot with Toronto title win
By: thinkSPAIN
Monday, July 28, 2008

http://www.thinkspain.com/news-spain/15270/nadal-closes-in-on-top-spot-with-toronto-title-win