Nadal inspired by Spain's World Cup triumph

By Staff
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Google Oneindia News

LONDON, June 14 (Reuters) Spain's spectacular start to their soccer World Cup campaign inspired Rafael Nadal to make an impressive debut at the Stella Artois Championships today.

The French Open champion had been glued to a television set in the Queen's Club locker room as he followed the fortunes of his national soccer team against Ukraine.

But with Spain scenting a memorable victory in Leipzig, Nadal reluctantly had to go on court and focus on his own battle against American Mardy Fish at the grasscourt championships in London.

''I saw the match until 3-0 and then I had to go on court,'' Nadal said following his 7-6 6-1 win over Fish.

''I saw the best team today, (and) then my match was a good surprise. I knew Mardy Fish would be a difficult match on grass.

''I felt good because I had good ball control. And when I played aggressively, I felt comfortable.'' By the time Nadal completed his 75-minute win over his American opponent, Spain's soccer team were celebrating a 4-0 win and the 20-year-old was in buoyant mood.

''I'm very, very happy,'' the top seed after winning only his second match on grass over the past 12 months.

''The first victory is important... especially to get confidence for Wimbledon. Now I'll get to play another match here and is very important for me play some matches before Wimbledon.'' While many previous Roland Garros champions opted to put their feet up and shun the grasscourt season, Nadal has repeatedly bucked the trend.

After winning a maiden grand slam title in Paris last year, Nadal travelled to Germany to have a stab at finding his feet on the lawns in Halle.

That experiment ended in his first match and after skidding out of Wimbledon in the second round, he has opted to try a different strategy this time round.

He has entered both singles and doubles at the Stella Artois Championships in London, which is a stone's throw away from Wimbledon.

He is now relishing the challenge of adapting his fearsome claycourt skills on turf.

''It's very nice to play on grass,'' said Nadal, who is unbeaten on clay for a record 60 consecutive matches.

''(Adjusting) the baseline game is very nice because you can put the slice, you can go to the net, you can go a little bit more slow, you can go little bit more fast.

''On clay, you need put all (your energies) on playing tough.

Here, you can play different styles.'' REUTERS DH RAI0022

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