Nadal, Pliskova face double duty to reach semifinals

Cincinnati, United States: Once and future number one Rafael Nadal and top-ranked Karolina Pliskova were doing double duty Friday at the WTA and ATP Cincinnati Masters, preparing for quarterfinal matches after afternoon victories.

Spain’s Nadal, assured of being atop the rankings come Monday for the first time since July, 2014, defeated compatriot Albert Ramos-Vinolas 7-6 (7-1), 6-2 to book a night matchup with Australian Nick Kyrgios.

Czech defending champion Pliskova, fighting second-ranked Simona Halep to remain world number one, ousted Italian qualifier Camila Giorgi 6-3, 4-6, 6-0 in another of five matches postponed from Thursday due to rain.

Pliskova faced a short-rest quarterfinal against fifth-rated Dane Caroline Wozniacki at the last major tuneup for the US Open.

Both Nadal and Ramos-Vinolas wore black ribbons on their shirts in memory of victims of the terror attack Thursday in Barcelona.

Nadal, a 15-time Grand Slam champion who won his 10th French Open title in June, was ensured of overtaking injury-idled Andy Murray and topping the rankings for the first time since July 2014 after Roger Federer withdrew from Cincinnati with a back injury.