Rafael Nadal will return to No.1 in the world tennis rankings after his semi-final opponent Tomas Berdych retired hurt at the China Open on Saturday, capping an astonishing comeback for the 13-time grand slam champion.
The Spaniard only needed to make the Beijing final to edge ahead of Novak Djokovic in Monday's new ATP rankings.
Nadal, who last topped the rankings in July 2011, has enjoyed a remarkable season, returning from injury to dominate the hardcourt tournaments with a 27-0 win-loss record.
He will overtake defending Beijing champion Djokovic, even if the Serb retains the title on Sunday.
He won his semi-final against fifth seed Richard Gasquet 6-4 6-2.
Nadal said returning to top spot had capped "a great year, one of the best years of my career without any doubt.
"Sure is special to be back to the top position of the ranking after more than a half-year without playing tennis.
"I felt during all the season very excited every time I go on court."
Djokovic is in his 101st week as world No.1.
Czech Berdych pulled out of his semi-final after receiving treatment for an injury with Nadal leading 4-2 in the first set.
The world No.5 said he suffered a back injury when he reached for a shot.
"I don't know actually what happened - just the pain was there. That's it. I mean, before I didn't feel anything. I was completely fine. I just had no problem at all - nothing."
Berdych then praised Nadal's achievement on reclaiming the top spot.
"With Rafa, well, just all the credit. It is really incredibly well done in the whole short time that he has become a number one again," he said.
"That's really an achievement for an athlete like him."
Nadal was sidelined for the second half of last year with a knee injury and is unbeaten since crashing out of Wimbledon in the first round in June.
He has twice finished the season as the top-ranked player - in 2008 and 2010 - the first time after winning gold at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
The 27-year-old, tipped to eclipse Roger Federer's record of 17 grand slam titles, has won 10 ATP World Tour titles in 2013.
Tennis legends Andre Agassi and Pete Sampras reportedly said Nadal could overtake Federer before he finishes his career.
Nadal believed he would need to sustain his form - and crucially his fitness - for the next four years if he was to better Federer's achievements.
Nadal recently has dominated Djokovic, winning the French and US opens and the Canadian Masters.
In the women's draw, top-ranked Serena Williams and eighth-seeded Jelena Jankovic of Serbia advanced to the final with contrasting wins.
Williams scored a 6-2 6-2 victory over Polish third seed Agnieszka Radwanska while Jankovic staged a 6-7 (5-7) 6-1 6-1 win over Czech ninth seed Petra Kvitova.
The finals will be played on Sunday.
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