Rafael Nadal, looking for his third consecutive Grand Slam title, takes the world's No. 1 ranking into Saturday's semifinals at the U.S. Open.

Nadal grabbed the top ranking by winning this year's French Open and Wimbledon titles. He has six other titles and an Olympic gold medal while piling up a 75-8 record in 2008. He also owns a 5-0 lifetime record against sixth-seeded Andy Murray, his semifinal opponent Saturday.

The other semifinal sends second-seeded Roger Federer, who is seeking his fifth consecutive U.S. Open championship, against No. 3 Novak Djokovic.

Federer is 6-2 lifetime against Djokovic, including a 1-1 mark this year. Both are 52-12 in 2008, with Djokovic taking three titles, including the Australian Open, and Federer two.

But Federer is very comfortable appearing the late rounds of Grand Slam events. Saturday will mark his 18th consecutive Grand Slam semifinal and he's won 32 consecutive U.S. Open matches.

Saturday's winners square off Sunday for the U.S. Open title.

There is a forecast of rain in the New York area, however, as Tropical Storm Hanna is expected to sweep up the U.S. East Coast Saturday.

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