Nadal attacks first place in Cincinnati, Kyrgios helped him quite a bit

Daniil Medvedev has been leading the ATP list for weeks, but it is clear to everyone that the 26-year-old Russian is not exactly the best tennis player in the world at the moment. It's more a set of circumstances that a breakthrough in the rankings opened up for him due to the problems Novak Djokovic (banned from participating in tournaments because he was not vaccinated) and Rafael Nadal (injuries) encountered.

Currently, Djokovic is still prevented from competing as he is not allowed to enter the United States of America, but that is why Nadal could soon replace Medvedev and return to the top, where he was last in February 2020.

The Spaniard announced his arrival in Cincinnati with a post on social networks, and Nick Kyrgios gave him the opportunity to take over the throne at that tournament. In the second round of the Masters in Montreal, the Australian defeated Medvedev 2:1 (6:7, 6:4, 6:2), thus shaking the throne of the Russian. Daniil needed to reach the final of the Rogers Cup, where he defended the trophy, and in that case he would remain officially the best in the world at least until the end of the US Open.

Since Medvedev was, however, eliminated, Nadal has the opportunity to become "number one" again with his triumph in Cincinnati. However, it will not be easy, because this tournament is not one of the Spaniard's favorites. He won it only in 2013, and his total performance on it is 22 wins and 11 losses.

As for the tournament in Montreal, in addition to Medvedev, Carlos Alcaraz was also eliminated in the second round. The great hope of Spanish tennis was defeated by the American Tommy Paul after losing the first set - 6:7, 7:6, 6:3, while Kyrgios confirmed his fantastic form with his victory over the first-placed Russian. He recently won the tournament in Washington, and out of the last 15 matches, he only lost the Wimbledon final in a clash with Djokovic.