Djokovic has clay-court tennis King Nadal in his sights

AFP ©

HAMBURG, Germany (AFP) - Australian Open winner Novak Djokovic travels to Paris on Wednesday ahead of Roland Garros aiming to break Rafael Nadal's clay-court domination and take his world number two rank.

Djokovic turns 21 on Thursday and after reaching the semi-finals of the Hamburg Masters Series, he says his tennis is maturing and his confidence growing on clay.

The Serb is closing in on Nadal's second-place in the ATP rankings - which he has held since July 2005 - and the Spaniard insists Djokovic will be world number one in the near future.

"I am getting closer to him on clay," said Djovokic after losing 7-5, 2-6, 6-2 to Nadal after an epic clash which lasted more than three hours in Hamburg.

"I hope I have more luck against him next time, the semi-final 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."

World number three Djokovic faces a massive task at the French Open, which starts on May 26, where Nadal has won the last three titles and is unbeaten after 21 matches.

But the Spaniard recognises Djokovic is a real threat to his ranking despite his Hamburg semi-final victory over the Serb.

"He has improved incredibly and is getting better," said Nadal.

"He's going to be world number one within a few years, he's very good and very young."

Djokovic has banked 2.5 million US dollars in prize money this year alone and won Masters Series titles in Rome and Indian Wells on top of his Australian Open crown.

"Of course, if you start to win more matches and major events you gain more confidence which gives you momentum and I want to keep that going," he said.

"I want to be a good player on all surfaces and I am really happy with the clay court season I am having so far, I am improving on the surface.

"It's not easy, there are expectations on you to win every match, but I have gained a lot of things since last year, I am more composed and try not to waste much energy in games.

"It's just a case of playing smarter.

"I will take two or three days off now and then go to Paris on Wednesday to prepare."

But Roland Garros is a huge challenge for both Djokovic and world number one Roger Federer - the French Open is the only Grand Slam he has yet to win.

If his run of good form continues, Djokovic is likely to overtake Nadal in the ATP rankings later this summer.

"I don't want to get caught up in the chase for number two," he said.

"Yes, it is something I would like to do, but I just want to keep going and then the results will come."

He knows Roland Garros - Nadal's favourite surface where the top-spin suits his aggressive game - will be his acid test.