CHENNAI, India - 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.
Spain's Rafael Nadal reacts after getting a winning point in a tie breaker against his countryman Carlos Moya in a semifinal match of men's single at the ATP Chennai Open tennis championships in Chennai, India, Saturday, Jan. 5, 2008. [Agencies] "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 January 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."