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MADRID. — World number one Rafael Nadal targets a ninth Barcelona Open tennis title this week desperate to prove his shock Monte Carlo Masters quarter-final exit is not a sign of decline.
The 13-time Grand Slam champion failed to reach the final of the Monte Carlo Masters for the first time since he was 16 as he was defeated in straight sets by fellow Spaniard David Ferrer.

It was his earliest loss in the principality since 2003 and came 12 months after his eight-year winning streak at the event was ended in the final by Novak Djokovic.

“I just have to keep working to try to find the solutions in Barcelona. I am going to try and play well there and fight for the matches,” said Nadal, who insists his faltering form is not the consequence of the back injury which struck him down in his Australian Open final defeat to Stanislas Wawrinka. — AFP.