Beijing: Rafael Nadal will return to number one in the world rankings after his semi-final opponent Tomas Berdych retired injured at the China Open on Saturday, capping an astonishing comeback for the 13-time Grand Slam champion.
The Spaniard needed to make the final in Beijing to edge Novak Djokovic in the new rankings, which will be announced by the ATP on Monday.
The second seed will now confront Djokovic on Sunday in the climax of the tournament, after the defending champion powered his way though his semi-final, dumping out France’s Richard Gasquet 6-4, 6-2.
The Serb, who is on his 101st week as the top-ranked player, will be unseated by Nadal even if he reclaims the title.
Nadal, who last topped the rankings in July 2011, has enjoyed a remarkable season, returning from injury to dominate the hardcourt tournaments.
Berdych pulled out of his semi-final after receiving treatment for an injury with Nadal leading 4-2 in the first set.
Nadal was sidelined for the second half of last year with a knee injury and is unbeaten since he crashed out of Wimbledon in the first round in June.
He has twice finished the season as the top ranked player, more recently in 2010, and the first time in 2008, after he edged into the top position by winning gold at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
In Saturday’s women’s semi-finals, world number one Serena Williams powered through her match with Poland’s Agnieszka Radwanska 6-2, 6-2.
The American 32-year-old pulled up injured after appearing uncomfortable in the fourth game of the third set, clutching her back as she walked off court with medical officials.
But the brief pause did not result in Williams losing her momentum, as she ruthlessly finished off the third seed in convincing style, breaking serve in the next game before closing in on victory.
The top seed in Beijing said she had not picked up any serious injuries during the match.
Williams will face eighth seed Jelena Jankovic in Sunday’s final after the Serb defeated Czech Petra Kvitova following an early scare.
Jankovic lost the first set on a tie-break, but the world number 11 dominated the following sets, losing only two games to crush Kvitova 6-7 (7), 6-1, 6-1. (AFP)