I will keep fighting to become No.1: Nadal

Rafael Nadal gnawed at his fingers, as a group of journalists threw questions at him. The Spaniard was graciously spared of post mortems on his embarrassing final loss to Mikhail Youzhny, and questioned instead on the Australian Open, Roger Federer, and a few things more.

Excerpts:

On 2007 and this year’s Australian Open:

I’ve always played pretty good there. I made it to the third round in the past and also had a fourth-round match against Hewitt (Lleyton) before. Last time I made it to the quarterfinals (lost to finalist Fernando Gonzalez). Maybe I did not play great in that match, but it was not a bad result. I just try to play 100 per cent to my potential. I had a good 2007. I won Indian Wells and some important tournaments. I have a chance for a very good tournament (Australian Open)

On his chances of winning Wimbledon over Roger Federer’s of winning Roland Garros:

I think Roger has more chances to win Roland Garros than I have to win Wimbledon. He has made it to two finals, and has played very well on clay and won so many titles. Grass is a short season, so it’s difficult. You have just one chance to try and do well on it, and there is no time to practice. I don’t know what’s going to happen this year, but I will keep fighting and giving my best.

Youzhny blows away Nadal

In a disappointing 58-minute final, fourth-seeded Mikhail Youzhny thrashed World No. 2 Rafael Nadal in straight sets to win the Chennai Open title on Sunday

Watching Rafael Nadal win just a solitary game in a match is painful, more than anything else. The Spaniard’s image can sometimes consume him.

Playing less than 24 hours after an emotional, intense all-consuming four-hour marathon can take everything out of a man, but Nadal is expected to defy the norm. Almost out of right, the fist pumps, the tireless legs and the demonic forehands are in demand; but even a man of Nadal’s will and tenacity can sometimes succumb to exhaustion.

The top-seed looked completely out of sorts on Sunday. Mikhail Youzhny, by his own admission, had just to keep his game together, to win the Chennai Open final. The fourth seeded Youzhny beat Nadal 6-0, 6-1 in the final of the Chennai Open ATP tennis championship, at the Nungambakkam Tennis Stadium, on Sunday. Nadal had on Saturday beaten Carlos Moya 6-7(3), 7-6(8), 7-6(1) in the semifinals.

The Russian should be applauded for keeping his game together. Playing a tired, exhausted, quality player with nothing but pride driving him could have proved tricky. To the Russian’s credit, he pulled off his shots impeccably. The backhand, which had been lethal all along, was outstanding. He used it to change pace, direction, and pull off difficult slices.