Rafael Nadal starts, in a match against the French player Florent Serra, his participation in the Cincinnati Masters Series, a tourney that has 2.615.000 dollars in prizes and points for the ATP ranking, which represent the first possibility for the Spanish player to jump to number one, replacing Federer in the podium.

Nadal has the possibility to become number one, but for that to happen, Federer would have to lose before the semifinals, according to the ATP Tour Web site. Currently, Nadal is only 275 points behind Federer.

According to tennis experts, the 22-year-old Spaniard has all it takes to become number one of the sport. With a growing repertory of shots and his trademark energy, Nadal has been a more versatile player this season and with five titles in a row, he has a new air of invincibility. “I win on every surface,” Nadal said. “I win on grass, on hard, on indoor and on clay, too. So if I’m playing my best tennis, I can win on every surface.”

Last Sunday, after defeating Nicolas Kiefer 6-3, 6-2 in the Rogers Cup final, Nadal said “every player wants to be No. 1 but I have to be very happy if I am No. 1 or No. 2,” adding “because if I am No. 2, it’s because in front of me there is an amazing player like Roger.”

Source: Article originally published in MediaGambling