Rafael Nadal appears to be the front-runner at the Rogers Cup in Toronto after top-ranked Roger Federer failed to defeat Frenchman Gilles Simon (2-6, 7-5, 6-4) in the second round.
The path to the championship seems even more likely following the implosion of American Andy Roddick, who lost his composure in his third round match. Roddick, doing his best McEnroe impression, slammed his racket on numerous occasions, yelled at the chair umpire, and eventually dropped a three set decision to Croatian Marin Cilic (6-4, 4-6, 6-4).
Nadal, coming off an epic final match against Federer at Wimbledon, is making a name for himself in the tennis world and finally emerging as a force outside of clay courts. Claiming the past two majors, and likely the tournament in Toronto, it might not be a stretch before Nadal claims No. 1 in the world.
Federer has been struggling all season to regain his masterful form, losing to opponents that would have been mopped up last season by the outstanding Swiss star.
Top American seed Roddick, who sits sixth in the world, has all but been eliminated from top seed consideration following a lengthy streak of major disappointments and temper tantrums. The rest of the field fights back and forth for supremacy but their efforts cannot be compared to the success and athleticism of Nadal.
Nadal, should he be victorious at the US Open in August, would hold three of the four major titles. Federer would have zero, perhaps opening the door for a new No. 1 in the world of tennis.
With a win on the hard courts in New York, Nadal should at least be considered the best on the ATP Tour even if he remains the second seeded player. Rafa has had a far more successful season than Federer, and despite his many years of domination, Nadal seems poised to take his ranking, dropping the seemingly indestructible Federer to No. 2.
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