Football
Reuters 16y

Tennis-Nadal eyes Australian Open despite Chennai thrashing

By N.Ananthanarayan

CHENNAI, India, Jan 6 - Rafael Nadal was confident
he would recover for the Australian Open despite being thrashed
by Russian Mikhail Youzhny in the Chennai Open final on Sunday.

The Spanish world number two lost 6-0 6-1 to the Russian
fourth seed after looking clearly exhausted following Saturday's
marathon four-hour semi-final win over compatriot Carlos Moya.

"I'm not the one who puts any excuses on defeat," he told
reporters. "I could do nothing today, so I lost. I needed more
time for recovery."

Nadal looked forward to the grand slam in Melbourne starting
on Jan. 14.

"I have one week to go for the Australian Open and I'll do
my best to win," he said.

"I had no physical problem today, but I was feeling very
tired," he said. "That is the reason I called the trainer.

"I've started my season playing very well and I'm
confident," he said. "I hope I'll have a very good tournament."

The 21-year-old French Open champion praised Youzhny, saying
the Russian number two gave him little chance for a comeback.

"Youzhny played at an unbelievable level, I congratulate
him."

The 25-year-old Russian, the world number 19, displayed the
touch which helped Russia reach the Davis Cup final last month,
and was gracious in victory.

"Yesterday was like a final, Rafa played a great match
against Carlos," he said. "Today Rafa was not quite Rafa."

Youzhny said he realised during the second set that Nadal
was in no shape to fight back.

The Russian number two won his fourth career title and
narrowed his record against Nadal to 6-4 to the Spaniard.

"At the start of the tournament I began slowly, but after
each match I've played better and better."

Youzhny, whose best at the Australian Open was a fourth
round in 2003, said he was not looking too far ahead this time.

"I'll think about the first week and then if I win, about
the quarter-final."
(Editing by Rex Gowar)

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