Nadal clinches historic year-end world No. 1 ranking

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Spanish tennis ace Rafael Nadal secured a year-end top position in the ATP Rankings following his victory over South Korean talent Chung Hyeon in the second round of the Paris Masters on Wednesday, while promising German star Alexander Zverev was turned over by Robin Haase.

Nadal, 31, has become the oldest year-end No. 1 and first year-end No. 1 over the age of 30 since the ATP Rankings were established in 1973.

This is his fourth time to be crowned world No. 1 at the end of the season, after 2008, 2010 and 2013.

"I'm very, very happy for everything," Nadal told crowds in an on-court interview. "It has been an amazing year. One year ago, for sure I never dreamed about being world No. 1 again at the end of the season. It's something that means a lot to me."

Rafael Nadal /Reuters Photo

Nadal emphasized that "the season is not over."

"Here in Paris, the most important city in my career without doubt, I'm just looking forward to getting to the point," he said.

After both sides held their serves in the first two games, Chung broke for the first time throughout the match, before Nadal made a strong comeback to nail four games in a row.

Chung showed his resistance and tied it at 5-all. Then Nadal regrouped himself and took away the first set at 7-5 with a big forehand.

The second set was in balance after seven games, before Nadal, in search for his career's 31st ATP Masters 1000 titles, made a crucial break in the eighth game, and converted his second match point in the ninth at 6-3.

Nadal will next face Pablo Cuevas, as the Uruguayan saw off Nadal's compatriot Albert Ramos-Vinolas 6-7 (5), 7-6 (1), 6-2.

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Source(s): Xinhua News Agency