Confident Ferrero eyes further rise up the rankings

CINCINNATI, Aug 20 (Reuters) Former world number one Juan Carlos Ferrero believes he is getting back to his best form despite losing 6-3 6-4 to Andy Roddick in the Cincinnati Masters final today.

The Spaniard found Roddick too good on the day but having beaten James Blake, world number two Rafael Nadal and Tommy Robredo this week, Ferrero said he was growing in confidence all the time.

''I take everything positive from this week,'' Ferrero said.

''The matches I have won, the guys that I beat and the level that I played mean that I go to the U.S. Open with a lot of confidence.'' After reaching the final of the U.S. Open in 2003 and becoming world number one in the process, Ferrero was hit by illness and injury and his ranking plunged to 98th in February last year.

His run to the final in Cincinnati means he will move back into the top 20 this week, guaranteeing him a good seeding at the US Open.

''Last year I lost in the first round against (Arnaud) Clement and this year I have no points to defend, so it's a good opportunity to get up in the ranking a little bit more.

''I think I'm now at 18 or something like this, so it is a good chance.'' Ferrero said he had changed his mentality on court in the past 12 months.

''I'm more aggressive than last year,'' he said.

''Maybe last year I was waiting to the other guy to miss the ball. Now for sure I am not.

''I'm trying to be very aggressive with my forehand and backhand and try to win the point by myself, not wait until he misses the ball.'' REUTERS SK PM0157