Rafael Nadal one day away from number one

Berdych,trailing 2-4 in the opening set,tweaked his back while running for a backhand slice and needed a medical time- out.

He did return to the court but after a few points decided he could no longer continue,handing the 27-year-old Spaniard an easy passage to Sunday8217;s final.

Nadal,who boosted his grand slam singles tally to 13 this year by winning the French and U.S. Opens,has not been ranked number one since July 2011 but has produced a stunning run since returning from a long injury layoff in February.

8220;This is a great year,one of the best years of my career without any doubt,8221; Nadal told reporters.

8220;It sure is special be back to the top position of the rankings after more than a half year without playing tennis.

8220;At the end,it8217;s just a number8230; What makes me happy is everything I did to be back where I am today.8221;

He has lost two finals since his return,winning 10 tournaments and adding over 10 million in prize money in 2013.

The semi-final victory extended Nadal8217;s winning run to 21 matches and another triumph on Sunday would give him his first China Open title since 2005.

8220;It will be a great finish to the season if I am able to finish the season at the No. 1 spot,8221; the Spaniard added. 8220;For that,I am sure I need to win more matches if I want to be there.

8220;I won8217;t go to sleep tonight feeling that I am the best player of the world. That8217;s something that I never thought,and I don8217;t8230; think that now today.

8220;I played a very complete season,and that8217;s why I am the best in the rankings today.8221;

His job will not be easy,though,as Djokovic might have a point to prove.

The Serb was broken by Gasquet in the fourth game of the opening set but came back strongly to advance.