BARCELONA – Rafael Nadal moved into the Cincinnati Open quarter-finals with victory over fellow Spaniard Albert Ramos.
Both players were wearing black ribbons on their shirts in memory of the victims of the attacks that took place in Barcelona and Cambrils on Thursday.
Nadal, 31, won 7-6 (7-1) 6-2 to set up a quarter-final tie with Australia’s Nick Kyrgrios.
Kyrgrios and Nadal will play their quarterfinal match later on Friday (not before 02:00 BST on Saturday).
Roger Federer’s withdrawal from the tournament means Nadal will return to world number one for the first time since July 2014, taking over from Andy Murray who is also injured.
Meanwhile,áKarolina Pliskovaásolidified her world number one ranking by beating Camila Giorgi and Caroline Wozniacki.
The Czech defending champion beat Italian qualifier Giorgi 6-3 4-6 6-0 in their third-round match, before defeating world number five Wozniacki of Denmark 6-2 6-4 in a schedule reshuffled after Thursday’s rain delays.
The 25-year-old now faces Spain’sáGarbine Muguruzaáin the last four.
Wimbledon champion Muguruza beat Russian eighth seed Svetlana Kuznetsova 6-2 5-7 7-5 and also made a special tribute to victims of the attacks in her country’s Catalonia region.
She wore a black ribbon in her headwear and later posted onáInstagram:”Barcelona I feel you.”
Pliskova’s victory over Wozniacki means world number twoáSimona Halepáis only able to overtake her as world number one if she wins the title.
Romania’s Halep plays Britain’sáJohanna Konta,áwho has won each of their three previous meetings, in their quarter-final tie later on Friday (not before 00:00 BST on Saturday).
Meanwhile, Ukraine’s world number fouráElina Svitolina, who was in with a chance of becoming world number one if she had won the title, was beaten by Germany’sáJulia Goergesá7-5 6-4 in their third-round match.
Goerges goes on to play AmericanáSloane Stephens, who eliminated Russia’s Ekaterina Makarova 2-6 6-3 6-4, later on, Friday.-Online
