Andy Murray [ Images ] prized the world number two ranking from Rafael Nadal [ Images ] on Saturday by beating Jo Wilfried-Tsonga 6-4, 7-6 to book a final clash with in-form Argentine Juan Martin Del Potro [ Images ] at the Montreal Masters.

Playing his first tournament since losing in the Wimbledon [ Images ] semi-finals, the 22-year-old Scotsman has barely put a foot wrong in Montreal, advancing to his sixth final of the season without dropping a set.

Murray will have his hands full against Del Potro on Sunday, however, the Argentine entering his first Masters Series final on the back of a 10-match winning streak after coming from behind to vanquish fifth-seeded American Andy Roddick [ Images ] 4-6, 6-2, 7-5.

Murray's win over Tsonga made him the highest-ranked British man since ATP rankings began in 1973, and also broke the duopoly Nadal and Swiss rival Roger Federer [ Images ] have held over the top two spots since July 2005.

"For five years it's been Rafa and Roger one and two," Murray told reporters. "So it's such a tough thing to do because Roger and Rafa are, I think, the two best maybe of all time.

"So it's pretty special to get in between them."

While Murray might have expected a semi-final date with world number one Federer, it was the imposing frame of Tsonga greeting him from the other end of the court, the Frenchman having handed the Swiss a shock defeat despite trailing 5-1 in the deciding set of their quarter-final.

Tsonga was again in fight-back mode on Saturday, and after conceding an early break to trail 3-1 in the first set, broke back to serve at 5-4 down.

THRILLING TIE-BREAK

But a feisty Murray immediately hit back with another break to claim the opening set.

With neither player able to stamp their authority on the second, the set came down to a thrilling back-and-forth tie-break with Murray finally prevailing 10-8 after Tsonga netted a service return.

Del Potro has had Roddick's number in both their previous meetings, including last Sunday's final at the Washington Classic, but it was the fifth-seeded American who gained the upper hand early, clinching the opening set with ease.

The towering 6-foot 6-inch Argentine soon found his range, however, racing to a 4-0 lead to sew up the second set.

Del Potro, who fired 19 aces, maintained the intensity in the tight deciding set, and broke Roddick's serve at 5-5, prompting the American to smash his racquet to pieces in frustration and surrender the match shortly after.