Nadal fears he'll eventually cave into clay court grind

BARCELONA, Spain: Rafael Nadal continued his storming spring with a win at the Barcelona Open on Wednesday but said he expects to eventually run out of gas due to a crowded clay season this Olympic year.

"It will be impossible for me to keep a top level over four straight weeks," said the three-time Roland Garros champion after producing a 6-4, 6-2 second-round defeat of Potito Starace.

While the king of clay was reaching the third round, fourth seed James Blake was fighting disappointment after losing the first career match he has ever played on iconic Spanish clay.