MIAMI (AFP) - Rafael Nadal boosted his confidence entering the clay-court campaign with a runner-up showing at the Miami ATP Masters Series event, even if he didn't become the first Spaniard to win there.

Russian fourth seed Nikolay Davydenko beat second-ranked Nadal 6-4, 6-2 in Sunday's final of the 3.77 million-dollar hardcourt tournament, denying the southpaw his first ATP title of the year.

"This tournament is going to give me, I think, positive feelings for the clay season," Nadal said. "I played a very good tournament against very good players, regularly in final, semi-final. That's always positive.

"When you are there every week, finally you are going to win."

Nadal will lead Spain against host Germany in a Davis Cup quarter-final next weekend and then turn his attention to the clay season and a potential fourth consecutive victory at the French Open.

Nadal has dispatched world number one Roger Federer in each of the past two finals at Roland Garros and figures to break his win drought before finding himself on the red clay at Paris.

Nadal, 21-6 this season, seeks his 24th career title and the first since claiming the crown at Stuttgart last July.

"For sure it's tough, but at the same time, I have to be happy about myself, about the last weeks, because I've improved my level a lot," Nadal said. "I think soon I'm going to win a title. I hope so. I hope so in Monte Carlo."

Nadal, 21, has been ranked second in the world for a record 140 weeks in a row since July of 2005 but has been unable to capitalize on the struggles of Federer to claim the top spot.

"You know, we have only three months already on the season," Nadal said. "Roger has lost more than usual, but it wasn't due to bad results. He's not far away from his level."

Australian Open champion Novak Djokovic has also risen up to challenge Nadal's spot in the rankings, but Nadal doesn't see the Serbian rival as any nearer to overtaking Federer than himself.

"Djokovic is unbelievable, but at the same time, I am not so much farther away than Djokovic, too. I've played very well to start the season," Nadal said.

Nadal has far exceeded the 1,000 ATP rankings points he wanted after Miami, a step in the right direction should Federer not recover his once-invincible form.

"I said before the season my goal is have 1,000 points in Miami and I will have 1,250, something like that. I improved on my goal," Nadal said. "It's a lot of points on three months, so I'm happy for that."