Karan can break into top 100, has the potential, says Nadal

Chennai, Jan 4 (UNI) Spaniard Rafael Nadal, the world Number 2 today patted India's Karan Rastogi for the latter's good showing against him in the second round match of the ATP tour Chennai Open 2007 here.

''He is fast on the court. That's important at this level. He has a good backhand,'' the star of this edition of the ATP Tour event, said in the post-match press conference.

''If he can keep his game up, he has a good future,'' Nadal said.

Nadal said if Karan was to break into the top 100 in world rankings, the Mumbai lad should not miss some balls as he did now.

''To be in the top 100 you can't do that,'' the south paw from Mallorca in Spain, pointed out.

Answering questions about his match against Rastogi, whom he beat in straight sets, Nadal said he let go some chances in the first set. ''I had some good breaks. But I missed them,'' he averred.

''Normally, I don't miss those opportunities'', he said.

Nadal said he was not surprised by Rastogi's performance in the first set in which the Indian matched him stroke for stroke, as it appeared. ''No, I was not surprised. If he can win a match at this level as he did in the first round against a higher ranked player, he must be good,'' Nadal also observed.

Nadal said Karan also had nothing to lose in the match as there were no great expectations from him. ''It's easy to play without pressure,'' he added.

About his own game, Nadal said he was happy with the way he has been playing in the Chennai Open. ''I am improving. I hope I will be better tomorrow,'' he said.

''Last year, I was under pressure on the court to win always,'' he said and added ''this year I want to change that.'' UNI