• Sony Ericsson Open

Nadal to use Miami doubles opportunity

Rafael Nadal will use the Sony Ericsson Open in Miami to continue working on his doubles game for this summer's Olympic Games © Getty Images

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Rafael Nadal has confirmed that he will play in the doubles at the Sony Ericsson Open in Miami with Marcel Granollers, as the Spaniard continues his preparations for this summer's Olympic Games.

Nadal, who was beaten in the BNP Paribas Open semi-finals at Indian Wells by eventual tournament winner Roger Federer on Saturday, wants to use the Miami tournament to ensure his doubles game remains sharp.

The Australian Open runner-up believes the chance to play alongside Barcelona-born Granollers is an important one which can aid the pair's development together.

"It's true that I hardly ever play doubles in Miami, but taking into consideration that there is the Davis Cup and, above all, the Olympics this year it excites me to go there and be competitive, both as a pair and individually," Nadal told Spanish news agency Efe.

"To do that [be competitive] you have to play some tournaments together."

Nadal succeeded in the doubles at Indian Wells where he and fellow Spaniard Marc Lopez saw off John Isner and Sam Querrey on Sunday.

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