Tennis:Exhausted world number two Rafael Nadal suffered a setback before this month's Australian Open after he was thrashed 6-0 6-1 by Mikhail Youzhny in the Chennai Open final in India yesterday.
The Spaniard looked stiff from the start against fourth seed Youzhny, clearly showing the effect of his marathon four-hour semi-final win over compatriot Carlos Moya the previous day.
Nadal called for medical attention trailing 4-1 in the second set and then went through the motions as Youzhny completed his fourth career title win with ease, disappointing a large holiday crowd cheering the Spaniard.
"There was less than 24 hours for recovery," Nadal said, allaying any injury concerns ahead of the year's first grand slam.
"This victory is a present from Rafa to me," said a gracious Youzhny after the final. "I didn't win today, Rafa just lost the match because he couldn't move well." Youzhny, the world number 19, produced an array of superb forehand shots to race through the first set in just over 20 minutes.
Although Nadal took a vitamin tablet during the break between the sets, it appeared to have no effect as Youzhny broke his rival in the fourth game before going 4-1 up.
The trainer stretched Nadal's right leg before the player returned to the court to finish the tie, Youzhny serving out to secure victory in under one hour.
Meanwhile, Andy Murray has said his victory over Stanislas Wawrinka in the final of the Qatar Open in Doha at the weekend was useful preparation for the Australian Open.
The British number one was runner-up to Ivan Ljubicic in last year's final, but made amends this time with a 6-4 4-6 6-2 win at the Khalifa Tennis Complex to secure his fourth career title.
"It's good to win another title and it's been great preparation for the Australian Open," Murray said. "Stan played pretty good and made me do a lot of running. I don't know how much longer I could have run for. I did a lot of running and I am going to be stiff tomorrow, but I am really happy that I came through."
Murray took the first set 6-4, but Wawrinka - who had defeated the Scot on clay in Davis Cup competition three years ago and also on hard court at ATP Masters Series Miami in 2006 - battled back to take the second set 6-4.
Murray quickly put the second set behind him to break Wawrinka's serve in first game of the third set and then held his own to take a 2-0 lead.
The world number 11 was then able to capitalise in the seventh game to break Wawrinka and take a 5-2 lead.
The Swiss was unable to break back as Murray efficiently despatched his final service game to take the deciding set 6-2.
