Nadal victory secures long-sought rise to number one

Nadal will become the 24th player in the history of the ATP Rankings to hold the number one position and the third Spaniard to accomplish the feat, joining Carlos Moya (1999) and Juan Carlos Ferrero (2003).

He faces a semi-final challenge against third-seeded Novak Djokovic after the Serb defeated former tennis school friend Ernests Gulbis 6-3, 6-4.

"I'll have to play better than tonight, I need to play my best-ever match at Cincinnati," Nadal said.

Lapentti, ranked 89th after standing inside the top 10 in 1999, last played a Masters Series quarter-final in Miami six years ago.

Djokovic shelved any sentiment as he dispatched Gulbis to reach his fifth Masters Series semi-final.

The young pair - at 21 Djokovic is two years older than Gulbis - spent time at the Niki Pilic academy in Munich and fondly remember their tearaway teenaged years.

"It was a matter of time when he was going to make this breakthrough and just gain the experience with the time," said Australian Open winner Djokovic. "Obviously he's showing his quality now.

"He's one of the young rising stars that we expect to see more in the future."

Djokovic rode one break per set to improve his record over Gulbis to 2-0.

At the top of the draw, Andy Murray beat Carlos Moya 2-6, 6-3, 6-1 to complete a spirited fightback.