CINCINNATI: Two-time semi-finalist Rafael Nadal won`t make promises about his progress at this edition of the ATP Cincinnait Masters after squeezing in a pair of practice sessions Tuesday.

The Spanish world number one maintained his standard low-attitude heading into the last bit even before th August 30 start of the US Open.

Nadal refuses to look farther ahead than American qualifier Taylor Dent, his second-round opponent.

"The competition starts tomorrow. I only had the chance to play a few games today in the morning," said Nadal, who lost at Cincinnati in the semi-finals to Serbia`s Novak Djokovic the past two years.

Reigning French Open and Wimbledon champion Nadal lost to Britain`s Andy Murray in the Toronto Masters semi-finals last week and was unhappy with his serve.

"Things will change," Nadal vowed. "The serve will be very important. I must serve much better if I really want to have any chance to be in the tournament. That`s what I`m working on."

Nadal said conditions between the two hardcourt Masters events could not be more of a contrast.

"The court is completely different. It`s very fast here, much faster than Toronto," Nadal said. "It`s not easy to adapt to this court after the semi-finals or final in Toronto. But for sure I am here to try my best."

Djokovic, Cincinnati runner-up the past two years, echoed Nadal`s thoughts on the court speed.

"I was a little bit surprised when I come here to see how different it is from Canada," Djokovic said. "In Canada it`s slower and you get to control the ball a little bit more. But these courts are faster.

"Playing finals two years in a row is definitely great success for me. It probably suits my game here. I cannot complain, I just hope that I can continue on the good run I had here the last couple of years."

BDST: 1538HRS, August 18, 2010