Madrid Open: Nadal finds positives in Murray defeat

Rafael Nadal remained in an upbeat mood ahead of the upcoming French Open despite falling in the semi-finals of the Madrid Open to Andy Murray on Saturday.

Nadal - a four-time champion in the Spanish capital - has enjoyed a return to form on clay this season and went into the last-four clash unbeaten in 13 matches, a run that saw him lift the Monte Carlo Masters and Barcelona Open titles.

He was unable to extend his streak, though, as defending champion Murray repeated his success over Nadal in the final 12 months ago with a 7-5 6-4 triumph in just over two hours.

Despite his exit Nadal was able to find plenty of positives as the season's second grand slam moves into view.

"I had another positive week," he told a media conference. "I made it to the semi-finals. I think I'm very consistent every week.

"Today mentally I think I was okay. I fought a lot until the end. I tried to look for solutions, and I think I did that. [But] it wasn't enough."

Nadal acknowledged Murray showed his quality at the vital moments in Saturday's clash, the second seed booking a final berth against either Novak Djokovic or Kei Nishikori.

"In the first set he played better than me," he added. "In the second, I have had more opportunities, and I was more aggressive.

"But he has played very well, and in general, he has played better in the important moments."