Federer and Nadal edge closer to Murray's No.1 ranking
The battle for the World No.1 ranking moves to Cincinnati as Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal continue to make ground on Andy Murray.
Current No.1 Murray has managed to hold on to the top spot by the skin of his teeth, but will inevitably lose it as he remains idol until the US Open.
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The Brit sat out the Rogers Cup in Montreal and will miss the upcoming Cincinnati Masters.
Nadal only needed to make the semi-finals in Montreal to usurp Murray, but suffered a shock loss to hometown hero Denis Shapovalov in the third round.
Federer made it all the way to the final, but was upstaged by 20-year-old phenom Alexander Zverev in straight sets.
Nevertheless, Nadal and Federer have both made ground on the idol Murray, who is now almost certain to lose his top spot before the last grand slam of the year.
In the latest rankings released on Monday, Nadal trails Murray by just 195 points, while Federer moved up to within 605 points of Murray.
No.3 Federer also made up ground on No.2 Nadal, meaning both of them have the chance to grab the top spot in Cincinnati.
Either man will be the World No.1 if they manage to win the title, while Nadal will also be No.1 simply by going further in the tournament than Federer.
Federer was asked about the possibility of returning to No.1 after his loss to Zverev on Monday, saying he'd much rather take the top spot at the end of the year rather than before the US Open.
"Year-end if I could choose, yes. It would mean more," he said.
"Then I could be on vacation with No. 1.
"Pre-US Open all I have to do is talk to the press about it, how I would feel. Not as good."
The Swiss legend last held the No.1 ranking in November 2012, and was No.1 at the end of a full year way back in 2009.
Nadal was last No.1 in July 2014, and finished 2013 in top spot.
Both men have enjoyed incredible resurences in 2017 and would both be fully deserving of another reign as the best player in the world.
Federer has five titles this year, including Australian Open and Wimbledon crowns, while Nadal won his 10th French Open to go with three other titles.
