Rafael Nadal [Images] has a plan up his sleeve should he fail to celebrate his birthday by playing in the French Open semi-finals next week.

"I hope I'll be here in Paris to celebrate my birthday but then again I might be on holiday and fishing in Mallorca," the 18-year-old joked as he tried to play down his chances of winning the title.

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Nadal was in devastating form in the run-up to Roland Garros and extended his winning streak to 18 matches by dispatching Germany's [Images] Lars Burgsmueller in straight sets on Monday.

Should the teenager and world number one Roger Federer [Images] live up to their seedings, Nadal could be preoccupied on his birthday on June 3 with a mouth-watering last-four encounter against the Swiss.

He is determined, however, not to look that far ahead in the draw.

"I don't really want to think about the second week because all that is theoretical. I'm going to play one match at a time," said the fourth seed.

Having mastered the art of claycourt tennis, the world number five said he is now concentrating his efforts elsewhere.

"It's very difficult for me to master the tenses in English. The tenses are very difficult for me, especially the verbs," Nadal said as he attempted to express himself in English.

With the Spanish press chuckling at his effort, Nadal was quick to tick them off.

"Don't laugh because then I won't try. I'm trying to speak in English to make the English speakers happy.

"I'm very pleased that people [outside Spain] are taking so much interest in me and that gives me more confidence. It gives me motivation to win here."

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