Tuesday, May 2 2006 12:00 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Estoril: Beaten Barcelona finalist Tommy Robredo paid tribute to the clay power of Rafael Nadal after pulling out injured as third seed at the Estoril Open Monday.

"Right now, he's the best player in the world on clay," said Robredo, comprehensively dismissed 6-4, 6-4, 6-0 in Sunday's final in Spain by the teenaged world number two from Mallorca.

"It was a tough final for me, of course I'm disappointed that I lost," he said.

Robredo, who will face a fitness battle to be ready for the May 28 start of Roland Garros in three weeks, claimed Nadal could easily be unstoppable on the clay after winning his 47th straight match on the surface.

But the Spaniard, 24 on Monday, warned, "How well he does depends on how he maintains fitness, if he doesn't get injured.

"You don't want to over-play. So far, he's doing a great job this year. His level is great." Robredo came to sun-drenched Estoril for a physical exam on site as required by the ATP. He is suffering from an abdominal muscle injury he first felt last month in Monte Carlo and his place will be taken by a qualifier.

"Doctors tell me I have fluid on the muscle and that playing can make it worse," said the number 12. "I need to rest and will return to Spain today for treatment.

"It's particularly tough on serve.

"I just want to be ready for Paris. This has not been my best birthday. I'm hurt and I just lost a big final," he said.

Argentine David Nalbandian is top seed in Estoril ahead of Russian Nikolay Davydenko. Former world number one Marat Safin, ranked 49th after months of knee injury drama, is aiming to crank up his recent comeback before the start of Paris.