The best of the rest are circling after World No.1 Roger Federer crashed out of the ATP Toronto Masters in just the second round.
Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic - the world's second and third ranked players - are smelling blood and will launch an attack on an unusually vulnerable Federer who has reigned supreme at the top of tennis for 234 weeks.
Nadal, the new Wimbledon champion, will continue his charge for rating points in his third round match against Russian Igor Andreev when rain delays cease.
Meanwhile Djokovic already staked his claim, bouncing back after a Wimbledon second-round elimination to reach the quarter-finals in Toronto with a defeat of Swede Robin Soderling 6-4, 6-4.
Nadal currently stands 770 points behind Federer in ATP rankings after knocking off the champ in a marathon Wimbledon final earlier this month.
The Spaniard could cut that margin to a mere 275 should he win the Toronto title on Sunday.
"I’m having a good season, but still I'm still number two," said the Spaniard, modest as always.
"I still have the same motivation to continue improving.
"If I play like I have over the past four months, I will have my chances for number one."
Djokovic admits his sights are also set on the No.1.
"I just want to keep my focus about my career," said Djokovic.
"If I continue going forward the same way, the results will come.
"I played the best tennis of my career in the first six months of the year."
Federer insists that his slump will not be permanent with his focus already directed towards two major goals.
"I've got to regroup and look forward," said the Swiss master.
"The bigger picture is the Olympic Games and the US Open.
"Those are really the places where I want to win, so I have to make sure I'm ready for that."
