Nadal out of Rio

Rafael Nadal has vowed he will put in more hard work in a bid to get his game back to the level where he can win more tournaments.

The 29-year-old Spaniard endured another frustrating defeat late Saturday when he lost a marathon semi-final in the ATP Rio de Janeiro Open to 45th-ranked Pablo Cuevas 6-7 (6/8), 7-6 (7/3), 6-4.

"I lost an opportunity, that's it," said Nadal of his loss to Uruguayan Cuevas.

"I fought until the end. I have to accept it and keep working to try to change the dynamic. That's what's happening today and I have to work hard to change it."