credit: rolandgarros.com, By David Tutton
Rafael Nadal takes on Roger Federer in Sunday's French Open final, looking to equal Bjorn Borg's record of six Roland Garros titles. Given his record against the Swiss legend, the Spanish top seed is a strong favourite to see that dream come true, but should Federer hit the heights he reached against Novak Djokovic in their epic semi-final on Friday, he has to be given a chance.
And so they meet again. Two of the greatest players ever to have graced the sport go head-to-head once more, on Philippe Chatrier - the greatest clay court stage of all. And should we ever have doubted them?
Amidst all the talk of Novak Djokovic's incredible unbeaten run, it was so easy to dismiss the chances of 16-time Grand Slam champion Federer. With Rafa (who lest we forget has nine Slams of his own) misfiring as early as the first round here when he was given a five-set scare by John Isner, it was tempting to suggest the Majorcan was no longer the force he once was.
How wrong we were.
In Friday's semi-finals, both showed that while form is temporary, greatness is permanent. Federer played perhaps the finest clay-court match of his life to dispose of Djokovic, while Nadal was hugely impressive in overpowering Andy Murray in a marathon that was far closer than the straight-sets scoreline suggested. Rafa and Roger are born-winners, experienced champions who were always likely to call on their class and experience to see them past the pretenders to their places in history. After all, for many observers, Rafa is quite simply the greatest clay-court player of all time, and Roger the greatest player of all time, period.
In any case, the fans packed into centre court on Sunday are in for a treat. Federer is not one to talk in terms of revenge, but the fact is that he has the chance here to exact sweet doses of it on his Roland Garros nemesis. As Matt Cronin points out in his article "Federer up against Great Wall of Nadal", the Swiss has never really troubled Rafa at the French Open in three previous finals and one semi.
Fate has served him up one (last?) chance to take out the Majorcan in the one arena where Nadal has dominated him. Should he overturn the top seed on Sunday, he would write another chapter in his legendary story, one which would add further weight to the argument that he is indeed the best player of all time. Any talk of Nadal being greater would have to be tempered by the irrefutable evidence that, even after the peak of his career, Federer beat him on his own turf, at his own game.
These are the long-term stakes on Sunday, above and beyond the ranking points and prize money. And these are the thoughts that will lurk in the back of both players' minds as they go to bed on Saturday night, hoping for a restful night's sleep.
Should Nadal roll over the genial Swiss yet again, there will be no questioning his hegemony on clay, his absolute right to be described as the greatest player of his generation on the red dirt. It would also bring his Grand Slam title wins into double figures, just six short of Federer, with many more opportunities to come to add to that number.
Fittingly, Nadal celebrated his 25th birthday on Friday, crowning his celebrations with that battling win over Murray. With no signs of his love for the sport waning, he could go on to threaten Roger's record for wins at the four majors. At 29, Federer is not done yet, as he proved with the athleticism and stamina he showed to get past Djokovic, but time is not on his side either.Sunday's final is a tall order for the brilliant Swiss, such is Nadal's control and kick on a surface he was born to play on. Where Nadal can call on his unbelievable defensive game, wicked top-spin forehand and improved service, Federer will need to get his first service firing as incredibly well as he did against Novak, be aggressive from the off and take any chances that come his way. The 21 break points that came and went against the Serb did not come back to hurt him in the final analysis, but Rafa will surely not be so forgiving.
Whichever of the two legends emerges victorious however, they will surely acknowledge that over the past five years, their legacy has been achieved by standing on each other's shoulders, as true giants of the game.
Tennis...French Open...>> Final....> Nadal vs Federer
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