Rafael Nadal holds key US Open advantage but Novak Djokovic closes in on Roger Federer

Nadal has cemented his position as the world No 1 over recent weeks with his win at the Rogers Cup.

The Spaniard sits comfortably on 10,040 ATP points and was able to rest during the Cincinnati Masters knowing only 180 points were being surrendered after falling at the quarter-final stage in 2017.

Meanwhile, Djokovic and Federer worked their way through a gruelling field to meet in the final of the Cincinnati Masters – which the Serbian won 6-4, 6-4 last night.

It means Djokovic rose from 10th to sixth in the world rankings and continues his impressive resurgence after undergoing surgery on an elbow injury.

But for Federer his position as second in the standings weakens as he fell 2,960 points behind Nadal ahead of the final Grand Slam of the year.

Nadal is the defending champion in New York so he will be keen to keep hold of the 2000 points on offer while trying to close the gap on Federer’s 20-Grand Slam title haul – of which he is three behind.

Federer only reached the quarter-finals of the US Open last year meaning he is defending 600 points.

But Djokovic skipped the event through injury so could hypothetically climb as high as second – if Federer suffers a shock opening-match defeat.

And the Swiss star has played down his chances of a successful tournament.

“I’m not the favourite; they are. Rafa and Novak, in my opinion,” said Federer.

“I’m happy that my level is there. I just need to figure out my game, get used to different balls.

“That’s going to be just something I’m going to be working on.”

ATP world rankings – top 10

1: Rafael Nadal, 10,040

2: Roger Federer, 7,080

3: Juan Martin del Potro, 5,500

4: Alexander Zverev, 4,845

5: Kevin Anderson, 4,615

6: Novak Djokovic, 4,445

7: Marin Cilic, 4,445

8: Grigor Dimitrov, 3,790

9: Dominic Thiem, 3,485

10: David Goffin, 3,435