Nadal's 2007 target is to be among top eight

Chennai, Dec 31 (UNI) The top seed at the Chennai Open Spain's Rafael Nadal has chosen the Chennai event of the ATP tour because he thought that it was very good to start the new season here in the pursuit of his goal of being atleast among the top eight.

''I had come here three years ago. I think Chennai is a nice place'', the king of clay observed at a press conference here today.

Nadal said 2007 would be a good year for him even if he is able to retain his present position of being No two on the ATP rankings.

Nadal said he also beleived that his first round outing against German Rainer Schuettler (ranked 97), is not going to be easy.

Nadal, who has a 2-1 win loss record against Schuettler, said ''It is difficult to start the new season's first outing against a player like Schuettler. ''I will try my best'', he said rather philosophically.

Asked why he opted to play the doubles too, Nadal, who had won a doubles title here as an upcoming talent on the tour during his first visit to Chennai three years back, said ''I love doubles although it is difficult to play both in a tournament.'' Nadal does not think that 2006 was a bad year for him especially the second half as suggested by a questioner at the press conference. He said in the second half of the tour also he had some good performances including some appearances in the finals.

When asked about his win over the world no 1 Swiss Roger Federer in the French Open final, Nadal said he played better although Federer was also good.

Nadal said he spent the off season working on his serve.

Answering a question on the proposed round robin format for the ATP tournaments, Nadal said he would not be able to comment about this unless he gets to play in the format.

UNI