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Nadal determined to fend off Djokovic

Rafael Nadal was helpless to stop Novak Djokovic romping to a seventh straight title in 2011 © Getty Images

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Rafael Nadal is confident he can find a way to beat Novak Djokovic after the Serb denied him in a fourth consecutive final.

The world No. 1 is looking nervously over his shoulder after Djokovic extended his unbeaten streak to 37 matches, beating Nadal 6-4 6-4 in Rome to claim his seventh consecutive title.

And with the French Open kicking off next week, Nadal insists he is happy with his form, despite failing to defend his Madrid and Rome titles.

"I'm there all the time, I've played in six straight finals, I've lost four but there is one player playing better than the rest, he is doing unbelievably," Nadal said.

"My goal is to be there next time. I'm focused on my way. In the last few months he's been on a different level to the rest of the players.

"I have important personal satisfaction in how I'm doing this year, we'll see in the future. This week was very positive for me, I finished the week playing much better than at the beginning. "That didn't happen in Madrid which was a negative thing."

Djokovic has closed the gap to just 405 points and has his sights set on Nadal's No. 1 ranking, but the Spaniard is confident he can draw on previous successes to find a way to find a way to beat Djokovic and retain the top spot.

"He's a complete player, he can do everything," Nadal said. "He defends very well, better than he did before. He can attack very well, like he did before. He's very, very good, that's the problem.

"He has all the shots. He beat me in the last four Masters but I beat him in lots of important things in the past - the semi-finals of the Olympics, the final of the US Open, two semi-finals at Roland Garros. We will see what happens in the future."

In the women's rankings, Maria Sharapova climbs to No. 7 following her win in Rome, while Serena Williams drops out of the top ten.

ATP Tour Rankings
1. Rafael Nadal (ESP), 2. Novak Djokovic (SRB), 3. Roger Federer (SUI), 4. Andy Murray (GBR), 5. Robin Soderling (SWE), 6. Tomas Berdych (CZE), 7. David Ferrer (ESP), 8. Jurgen Melzer (AUT), 9. Gael Monfils (FRA), 10. Mardy Fish (USA)

WTA Tour Rankings
1. Caroline Wozniacki (DEN), 2. Kim Clijsters (BEL), 3. Vera Zvonareva (RUS), 4. Victoria Azarenka (BLR), 5. 4. Francesca Schiavone (ITA), 6. Li Na (CHN), 7. Maria Sharapova (RUS), 8. Sam Stosur (AUS), 9. Petra Kvitova (CZE), 10. Jelena Jankovic (SRB)

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