With his first triumph in the ATP circuit, before the Paraguayan Delgado in Mallorca, with 15 years and 10 months, Rafael Nadal began writing one of the most beautiful pages in Spanish sport. Today, nearly seven years later, the Prince of Asturias Award recognizes an extraordinary career, yet to be written, it has risen to the top of world ranking after a course indelible 2008.

Nadal happens in the prize to German Michael Schumacher after winning (18, joined the 24 votes) to U.S. swimmer Michael Phelps, the athlete with most Olympic gold medals (14) after eight conquered in Beijing, the Jamaican s[+]

Nadal beats Of Heart and cross in the third round with Troicki

Rafa Nadal is already in the third round of U.S. Open after overcoming clearly Ryle From the American Heart by 6-1, 6-2 and 6-4 in one hour and a half game.

The world's number one overwhelming left the track without being met and the first hour of game and dominated by two sets to zero encounters.

The U.S., which came from upstream and it occupies the ATP ranking of 261, released his arm in the third set and gave the enthusiastic audience that filled New York tier of the Ashe Stadium some memorable points, which were pulled by their compatriots and took him to dominate the third sleeve by 3-0.

So far allowed Nadal to the joys local player since bonded five games in succession and finally pointed the final set for 6-3.

In the third round, Nadal will be measured to Serbian player Victor Troicki, number 71 of the ATP, which has faced only once, at the Australia Open this year, which already won in three sets by 7 -- 6, 7-5 and 6-1.

Despite falling into the semifinals of the Masters Series in Cincinnati before the Serbian Novak Djokovic, Nadal said: "I played a very good tournament here, reaching the semifinals after winning in Toronto is almost perfect. I have the best track season lasts of my career so far, so I am very happy about it. "

Nadal, who lost (6-1 and 7-5) before 'Nolan' Djokovic in the semi-finals of Cincinnati, wanted to congratulate the Serbian because it is "doing well" in American tournament. "He played unbelievable in the first set. In the second I found myself well and at some point I felt I was playing better than him, but ultimately reached a 'break' and beat me", he said.

The winner of Roland Garros and Wimbledon assured that perhaps was not in his "best condition" but was optimistic by the way they played in the second sleeve. "In the second set I played better than previous days, so we finish the tournament with good feelings," he said.

Finally, asked about the possibility that the current number three in the ATP ranking comes in the future to be number one in the world, Nadal wanted to emphasize that until you leave the official list is the number one Swiss Roger Federer. "I think Djokovic also want to be number one, but at this moment, I'm still not the" lapsed.

After the defeat of Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal has Mallorcan at your fingertips and not depend on anyone to be number 1 next Monday of the ATP.

Rafa Nadal is virtual number 1, after the defeat of Swiss Roger Federer to Ivo Karlovic. The big surprise of the tournament gave yesterday in the Croatian Ivo Karlovic, the defeat by Federer 7-6 (8 / 6), 4-6, 7-6 (7 / 5), in an intense match. He was unable to pressure him and served on a plate to his throne Nadal.

Rafa will face joined in the quarter-finals of Cincinnati Masters Series to Ecuadorian Nicolas Lapentti, executioner of Fernando Velasco, after defeat in Round to German Tommy Haas by a blunt Rafa Nadal by 6-4 and 7-6 (0 ).

If everything goes as it's meant to go, wins the Masters Series Cincinnati on Monday will officially proclaimed number one of ATP, fully deserved, after an impressive season you are doing. Bravísimo Rafa!

Federer: It is important to remain positive

The fall of tempranera Roger Federer in his presentation at the Masters Series in Toronto before the Frenchman Gilles Simon, opens the door to the reign as the Swiss world number one may fall into the hands of the Spanish Rafael Nadal, the dispute after the open Cincinnati the next week.

If the Mallorcan is awarded the Masters Series in Toronto this Sunday, achieved by reducing the current difference of 770 points Swiss with just 275 in the prior to the start of the tournament in Cincinnati.

Nadal could become the new world number one if you reach the final on U.S. soil was removed and Federer again in the early rounds. Something that would end the reign of Swiss, who is now the 237 consecutive weeks, since February 2004.

However, the timetable of 2008 was amended by the Olympic Games, this potential coronation Rafah is reflected in the classification of August 18, two weeks after the Cincinnati Open.

Last year, the Masters Series Canada and Cincinnati will be played two weeks prior to regard this season, and hence, the 850 points achieved by Federer (in Canada and final title in Cincinnati) will no longer count on the same dates is disputed in 2007.

Moreover, Nadal is defending 230 points only these two weeks, 225 by accessing the semifinals in Canada and 5 by losing in his debut in Cincinnati last year.

To get number one, Nadal must achieve its second title in the Open Canada, which already won in the 2005 edition in Montreal, while in Cincinnati would have to overcome its best performance: a few quarter-finals in 2006.

Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal took the top two positions in the classification of the ATP since July 25, 2005, when the Majorcan became the new escort of Swiss, something happened ago no less than 157 weeks.

Federer: This is not the end of the world
Moreover, Federer said it must remain "positive" despite having fallen into the second round. "It is important to remain positive. The track season has just begun and lasts remaining nine months ahead. This is not the end of the world, but hopefully have started better," he said after losing to Simon. />
The Swiss admitted "having lost opportunities" that ended up costing him the defeat. "It was a disappointing match," admitted Federer, who committed 20 errors over not forced.

Anyway, does not intend to throw in the towel. "I have to forget and look forward. The big goal is the Olympic Games and the U.S. Open, are the sites where I really want to win and I'm sure I'm ready."