Nadal fully fit for Australian Open bid

By Simon Cambers

MELBOURNE (Reuters) - World number two Rafael Nadal is over the injury problems that affected him at the end of last year and remains confident of a strong run at the Australian Open.

The second seeded Spaniard was troubled by foot and knee injuries in 2007 but said he was fully fit for the year's first grand-slam event, which begins on Monday.

"Physically, I do not have one problem, so I am very happy with that," the three-times French Open champion told reporters on Saturday.

"This year I am arriving well, practicing well and I had some matches in Chennai (India). So I hope will be fine for Monday."

Nadal reached the final in Chennai, beating compatriot Carlos Moya in a semi-final battle that lasted almost four hours.

The Spaniard then ran out of steam in the final the next day, losing 6-0 6-1 to Mikhail Youzhny of Russia.

"I was only tired," Nadal said, shrugging off any doubts about his fitness.

"It was a terrible semi-final, no? Four-hour match. I had less than 24 hours to recover. I went to sleep late because I finished the match late so it was tough to recover. So Mikhail play good tennis and he beat me very easy."

"I think I am prepared. I practiced very well, very good the week before. In Chennai, I played some tough matches. It's important to win (matches) like the semi-final, important for confidence."

A quarter-finalist in Melbourne last year, Nadal will open his campaign against a qualifier on Monday.

(Editing by John O'Brien)