Nadal searching for form after Shanghai setback

Spain's Rafael Nadal admitted he was beaten by the better man after in-form Nikolay Davydenko earned his fourth title of 2009 on Sunday with a 7-6 (7/3), 6-3 victory at the Shanghai Masters.

Nadal searching for form after Shanghai setback

Spain's Rafael Nadal admitted he was beaten by the better man after in-form Nikolay Davydenko earned his fourth title of 2009 on Sunday with a 7-6 (7/3), 6-3 victory at the Shanghai Masters.

Playing in only his second event since missing a month with an abdominal muscle strain, Nadal was unable to shrug off the persistent Russian, who took the honours after just over two hours of tennis.

"He played better than me today," said Nadal, the top seed and World No 2. "But that's tennis. I will certainly be back next year to try and win here."

The Spaniard had few regrets despite his second loss to Davydenko in a Masters 1000 final after Miami in 2008.

"I'm still happy, I don't like to lose but I had my chances. I think I played a very good match. This was the first time since my injuries that I was competing 100 per cent against a top player.

"My attitude and my physical condition were fine, it has been a very good season for me. I'm still working to better my game and I still need to find the calm which will help me win matches."

Four-time Roland Garros champion Nadal has now lost his last two finals, the previous one in Madrid to Roger Federer five months ago.

Conversely, Davydenko has been on a roll since overcoming ankle and foot injuries in the early part of the year which kept him out for nearly three months.

The World No 8, who lost a final here a year ago to Novak Djokovic when Shanghai hosted the season-ending Tennis Masters Cup, finished up a sweep of the tournament top two having put out Djokovic in the semis.

"It's been a miracle," the 28-year-old Davydenko joked about his recent success. "I've beaten Nadal in two Masters finals, maybe that shows something.

"I've won 18 titles in my career and I find that amazing."

Nadal was unable to get an early lead in a 75-minute opening set, which Davydenko earned in a tie-breaker after losing a break.

"I thought I was losing my chances when he broke me back," said Davydenko. "I was just trying to hold him off, wondering how long I could stay in the match."

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