Rafael Nadal will supplant Novak Djokovic atop the rankings after advancing to the final of the China Open on Saturday when Tomas Berdych of the Czech Republic retired with a back injury.
The Spaniard was a break up at 4-2 in the opening set of their semifinal when Berdych retired soon after taking an injury timeout. Nadal could face Djokovic on Sunday, as the Serb played Richard Gasquet of France in the other semifinal later Saturday.
Nadal, who improved to 27-0 on hard courts this season, will return to the top ranking for the first time since July 2011. Djokovic has been No. 1 for 101 weeks.
"The personal satisfaction is not because I am No. 1 today, it's because (of) all the work (I put in) to be where I am today," Nadal said. "I don't feel (like) a better player now than five hours ago, and I won't go to bed tonight feeling that I am the best player in the world_that's something I've never thought."
In the women's draw, top-ranked Serena Williams and Jelena Jankovic of Serbia advanced to the final with contrasting wins.
Serena earned a straight-forward 6-2, 6-2 victory over Agnieszka Radwanska of Poland while Jankovic rallied for a 6-7 (7), 6-1, 6-1 win over Petra Kvitova of the Czech Republic.
Nadal had been assured of reclaiming the top spot if he reached the final in Beijing or Djokovic failed to defend his title.
Nadal, the reigning French Open and U.S. Open champion, has had a dominant year since returning in February from a seven-month layoff due to a left knee injury. He has won 10 titles and reached 12 finals overall, compiling an ATP Tour-best record of 65-3 on the season.
He hasn't lost a match since falling in the opening round at Wimbledon to 135th-ranked Steve Darcis of Belgium in June, his only blip this year.
"(This is) a great year, one of the best years of my career without any doubt," Nadal said. "Sure is special (to) be back to the top position of the rankings after more than a half year without playing tennis."
Del Potro vs Raonic in final
Tokyo: Top-seeded Juan Martin del Potro overcame Nicolas Almagro 7-6 (7), 7-6 (1) on Saturday to reach the final of the Japan Open.
Del Potro hit 12 aces to dispatch the sixth-seeded Spaniard and set up a final with third-seeded Milos Raonic of Canada, who beat Ivan Dodig of Croatia 7-6 (4), 6-1 in Saturday's first semifinal.
Del Potro is seeking his third title of the season following wins in Rotterdam and Washington.
Raonic, who is coming off a win at the Thailand Open last week, won six straight points in the tiebreaker and cruised through the second set to reach the Japan Open final for the second straight year.
The 22-year-old Canadian, who is 11th in the world rankings, broke Dodig twice in the second set to win the last five games, finishing the match with three straight aces.
IJtsIJIJIJIJIJound performance to decimate South Africa U-19 by 201 runs in the final and lift the Quadrangular Series trophy here on Saturday. Put in to bat, India made 267 for six in their 50 overs before bundling out the South Africans for 66 in 28.1 overs. Mumbai wonderkid Sarfaraz Khan starred for the hosts with an unbeaten 67 and a couple of wickets to his credit. It was a near-perfect performance by the Indians, who suffered just one loss during the tournament, also featuring Australia and Zimbabwe. After being sent in to bat, India did not make the best of starts with opener Ankush Bains (1) departing when the team had just three runs on the board. But other opener Akhil Herwadkar (25) and skipper Vijay Zol (71), steadied the ship with a 51-run second wicket stand. The partnership ended when Herwadkar was dismissed by Justin Dill in the 15th over, caught by Yaseen Valli. Herwadkar's 46-ball stay featured a four and a six.
Judoka Kalpana wins bronze
New Delhi: Kalpana Devi has won India's first IJF Grand Prix medal when she grabbed a bronze at the Judo Tournament in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. Competing in 52kg weight category, Kalpana defeated Zarifa Sultonova of Uzbekistan but lost to Gili Cohen of Israel. However, Kalpana jumped back to medal contention through repechage round, where she got the better of Brazilian Raquel Silva. Kalpana, who is with Indo-Tibetan Border Police, had also won a bronze medal in the Women's World Cup Judo Championships held in September 2010 in Uzbekistan. India have sent an eight-member team in the IJF Grand Prix Judo Championships, which will conclude on Monday. The judo players will remain in Tashkent for a one-month training.
Mumbai down Churchill Brothers
Mapusa (Goa): Churchill Brothers paid dearly for a missed penalty in the first half as Mumbai FC struck twice in the second half to score their first win in the third round of the Airtel I-league here on Saturday. After a barren first half, Mumbai, who did well to defend their citadel in the second half, scored through Essien Orok (46th) and Climax lawerence (87th). The win took Mumbai FC to five points from three matches, while Churchill Brothers, who suffered their second defeat, have one point from three matches.
15th Raid-de-Himalaya flagged off
Shimla: The Maruti Suzuki Raid-de-Himalaya, during which participants will traverse a distance of 1800 km over a span of six days, was ceremonially flagged off amid much fervor here on Saturday. The annual event was flagged off by T Hashimoto, Executive Director (Marketing & Sales), Maruti Suzuki India limited. Team Mahindra, including National Rally Championship winner Sunny Sidhu, pulled out of the event at the last minute, causing a major embarrassment to local organisers.
Mizoram in U-14 Subroto semis
New Delhi: Government Chawmgfianga Middle School, Mizoram edged out Govt Model school, Chandigarh 1-0 to enter the U-14 boys' semifinals of the 54th Subroto Cup here on Saturday. lalawmsanga (44th min) scored the winner for Mizoram. The winners will play NCC (North Eastern Region) in the semifinals. Although Mizoram schools have won the title in the past, this is the first time that Chawmfianga School have gone to the last four stage. The U-14 boys' quarterfinal was an exciting encounter between the tall, powerful players of Chandigarh and the speedy boys from Mizoram. The forward line which has ripped apart rival defences in all their previous matches, Mizoram dominated proceedings. PNS/Agencies