Wrap-up for Toronto, looking ahead to Cincinnati

Let me just flash back to eight hours ago: "I'm calling today's final for Rafa, something like 6-3, 6-2." Every once in a while, I get it right. Nadal wins! He just looks unstoppable, and we're heading into Cincy, the only Master Series event in which Nadal has never made it past the quarterfinals. Can he break his streak?

Before I look to the next week, just a few more things about this week. The Bryan brothers have continued their terrible record in finals this season, losing in a champions tie-break to Nestor and Zimonjic. And Safina did beat Pennetta, but it wasn't much closer than the Nadal-Kiefer match: 6-4, 6-2.

As for the Cincinnati draw, let's start with a look at the big picture:

Kiefer and Simon face off again in the first, in a rematch of Saturday's semifinal! I give the edge to Simon this time, since he's had a day off, at least. And then the winner goes on to face Blake, who was clobbered by Kiefer earlier this week. James really needs to get past that match to start getting some traction this hardcourt season.

Federer and Roddick are in the same quarter again, but with the way they're playing, it would be a surprise if they both made it that far. Federer may have to get through Ancic and Karlovic, while Andy has to beat Kohlschreiber (who beat him in five tough sets at the AO this year). At least Andy couldn't have asked for a better seeded opponent in his eighth of the draw; Roddick is 8-0 against tommy Robredo. But Cilic, Tipsarevic, and Davydenko all have had their maiden wins over Roddick this season, so who knows?

Of course, the big question for the week is "Who can stop Nadal?" the Mighty Mallorcan should steamroll his second round opponent, while if Youzhny can beat Haas and Monfils, that might be an interesting match-up. Nadal only leads the H2H with Mikhail by 7-4. His quarterfinal opponent could be Ferrer, but David has not started to show the pristine form he demonstrated during last year's HC season. I really don't see anyone beating Nadal until the semis or the final, if anyone's going to do it. Of course, he's got to get tired eventually, and he might lose to someone unexpected if that happens. I'll certainly keep an eye on it.

There are quite a few first-round matches to watch, beyond Simon-Kiefer. The teenaged Ernests Gulbis and the flying Finn Jarkko Nieminen could present some fireworks. And while they're both very up-and-down players, I'd love to see Tipsarevic-Moya if they're both on their games. Safin-Tursunov could be a fun one, as well.

It is possible that in one week, Nadal will have overtaken Federer in the rankings and the mighty Federus will have dropped to number 2 for the first time since February of 2004. That was four and a half years ago. A momentous occasion, if it falls out that way.