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Emotional Nadal savours return to No. 1

Rafael Nadal's win in Paris was his fifth title in six years at Roland Garros © Getty Images

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• News: Nadal claims fifth French Open title
  
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Rafael Nadal's fifth French Open title paved the way for the man dubbed the "King of Clay" to return to the top of the world rankings.

Nadal's victory over Robin Soderling saw him crowned world No. 1 for the second time in his career, leaving Federer one week short of Pete Sampras' record of 286 weeks at the top of the world rankings.

It may have been his 40th career title, and his fourth consecutive win, but after a year of injuries, his first Grand Slam title in nearly 18 months clearly meant the world to him. "It's the most emotional day in my career," Nadal said after his victory.

"It was a difficult year for me last year. It was difficult to accept the injuries and everything. It was a really emotional moment for me. After you win this big title you lose your tension."

Nadal now has 8700 ranking points, 310 more than Federer, with the pair on a collision course to the final at Wimbledon, where the top spot could change hands once more.

In the women's rankings, Francesca Schiavone has been catapulted into the top ten for the first time after her French Open triumph.

ATP World Rankings
1. Rafael Nadal (ESP), 2. Roger Federer (SUI), 3. Novak Djokovic (SRB), 4. Andy Murray (GBR) 5. Nikolay Davydenko (RUS), 6. Robin Soderling (SWE), 7. Andy Roddick (USA), 8. Juan Martin Del Potro (ARG), 9. Fernando Verdasco (ESP), 10. Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (FRA)

WTA World Rankings
1. Serena Williams (USA), 2. Venus Williams (USA), 3. Caroline Wozniacki (DEN), 4. Jelena Jankovic (SRB), 5. Elena Dementieva (RUS), 6. Francesca Schiavone (ITA), 7. Sam Stosur (AUS), 8. Agnieszka Radwanska (POL), 9. Kim Clijsters (BEL), 10. Flavia Pennetta (ITA)

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