Toronto: Rafael Nadal has inched even closer to end Roger Federer's 234 week reign at the top of the rankings after winning his fifth successive title in Toronto.
As he continues to close in the gap, some feel that the game is set to get a new king.
His play and even his peers are increasingly testifying that Rafael Nadal is the world's best men's tennis player. His breathtaking strokes against Nicolas Kiefer on Sunday proved exactly that.
Kiefer could hardly predict Nadal's moves on the court as the Spaniard won his second Rogers Cup title which is his 30th career title.
With a growing variety of shots and his trademark energy, Nadal has been a more versatile player this season. With five titles in a row, on clay, grass and now his first this season on hardcourts, he has a new air of invincibility.
He has won 29 straight matches since his second-round loss at the Rome Masters in May. He has won 7 titles this season with an enviable 61-7 record.
When the men's tennis rankings are updated, Federer will retain his No. 1 spot, which he has held since February 2004, but Nadal is now only 300 points behind, with a chance to claim the top spot in Cincinnati.
The former tennis star Boris Becker commented that for Nadal to close the gap with Federer, he would have to win the title and Federer would have to lose before the semifinals.
Whatever happens, it could set up a potentially dramatic showdown at the US Open in August.
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