Rafa in line for No.1 ranking in Montreal

Rafael Nadal is in prime position to reclaim the No.1 ranking.

The Spaniard, who last held top spot on 6 July 2014, could return to the summit if he reaches the semifinals this week in Montreal.

Naturally, Nadal was not getting drawn into speculation about how he would feel if he achieved the milestone.

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“I don’t even think about that now. I’m trying to have the right preparation now and that’s it,” he told atpworldtour.com.

“I’m going to keep trying to play the way I did in the first part of the season, so if I’m able to make that happen, I hope to have a chance to do well.”

Nadal, ranked second behind Andy Murray while currently No.1 in the race to the ATP Finals, has enjoyed a brilliant year highlighted by his 10th title at Roland Garros.

He also won Masters titles in Monte Carlo and Madrid and reached the final of the Australian Open.

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He is yet to win a title in 2017 away from red clay, although he is a three-time champion in Canada (2005, 2008, 2013).

As the No.1 seed, Nadal receives a first-round bye and could face either in-form 14th seed John Isner or dangerous Juan Martin del Potro in the last 16.

Meanwhile, the women’s world No.1 ranking is locked up – for now.

Karolina Pliskova ranks at the top of the tree, almost 1000 points clear of world No.2 Simona Halep.

Even if Halep was to win in Toronto and Pliskova bombed early, the order would not change.

However, Halep could close the gap in two week’s time once players get to Cincinnati; Pliskova is defending 900 points as the 2016 champion.