Nadal, however, has shrugged off any fears over his fitness.

"I was a little bit tired," explained the world No 2, whose battling style saw him come back from 5-1 down in the first set in Hamburg after also winning a three-set, three-hour semi-final over Djokovic the previous day.

"But later everything changed. It's important to beat the No 1 (Federer) and the best this year (Djokovic). With this result, I'm already in the Masters Cup. I continue to be the No 2 but closer to the No 1."

Djokovic is breathing down both men's necks.

Beaten by Nadal in the semifinals here in 2007 and quarterfinals in 2006, the Serbian world No 3, who celebrates his 21st birthday on Thursday, is the most successful player on tour this year.

He won his first Grand Slam title in Melbourne dropping just one set in seven rounds and also clinched the Indian Wells Masters before his win in Rome.

"I am getting closer to Nadal on clay," said Djovokic after losing 7-5, 2-6, 6-2 to the Spaniard in Hamburg.

"The semifinal was one of the best matches I have played, probably the best match I have ever played on clay. I am really pleased with my form ahead of the French Open, my fitness is good, I feel fresh and that bodes well for Roland Garros."

Djokovic is also closing in on Nadal's world No 2 position and the Spaniard believes it's just a matter of time before the Serbian is on top of the world.

"He has improved incredibly and is getting better," said Nadal. "He's going to be world No 1 within a few years."

Federer, Nadal and Djokovic are head and shoulders above the rest of the men's field; world No 4 Nikolay Davydenko is almost 2000 points adrift of the Serbian in the world rankings.

(Agencies via China Daily May 22, 2008)