Nadal has been ranked second for a record 147 consecutive weeks, but he will be overtaken by Djokovic if the Australian Open champion wins Saturday’s showdown.

Roger Federer won’t have such problems. His No. 1 slot is not under threat — yet — and the defending champion plays unseeded Andreas Seppi in the other semifinal. Federer is seeking his fifth title in Hamburg.

The top three players in the world all advanced in straight sets from Friday’s quarterfinals. Neither has lost a set so far.

Federer cruised past Fernando Verdasco 6-3, 6-3; Djokovic beat Albert Montanes 6-2, 6-3; Nadal, last year’s runner-up, topped his mentor and friend, the 11th-seeded Carlos Moya, 6-1, 6-3.

Nadal would have been replaced as No. 2 already Friday, had he lost to Moya.

But the younger of the two Spaniards came through under pressure and rolled past Moya, losing his serve only once in the match.

“It may be a little more important than a normal Masters Series semifinal, but it’s not very special. It’s not for No. 1,” Nadal said. “I know very well what it’s like to be No. 2. I’ve been there a long time.”

“I played a very good match against a very good player tonight and I will have to play best to win tomorrow. It’s going to be very tough because he is playing with a lot of confidence.”

Djokovic, now No. 3, said he preferred to wrest the higher ranking from Nadal personally.

“It’s always a better feeling to deserve it,” the Serb said.

Djokovic said it would be a special match, “but I am not trying to think about it and create extra pressure.”

“I will try to approach it as any other match,” he said.

Djokovic has lost all three previous matches against Nadal on clay. Nadal leads the series 6-3.

But Djokovic leads the tour this year with three tournament titles. Apart from the Australian Open, the first Grand Slam of his career, Djokovic also won the Masters Series event in Indian Wells — beating Nadal in the final — and last week’s Rome Masters.

“I’ve gained mental experience and physical strength, I feel at the top,” Djokovic said.

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