Switzerland's Roger Federer waves after winning his semi-final against Russia's Nikolay Davydenko. - Reuters PARIS (AP):
TOP-RANKED Roger Federer and nemesis Rafael Nadal dispensed with the last of the preliminaries at the French Open, winning yesterday to set up their anticipated showdown in the final.
A sluggish Federer overcame a deficit in every set and advanced by beating Nikolay Davydenko 7-5, 7-6 (5), 7-6 (7). The second-ranked Nadal joined him in the final 2 1/2 hours later, defeating Novak Djokovic 7-5, 6-4, 6-2.
Tomorrow, Federer will bid for the only Grand Slam championship he has yet to win, while Nadal will seek to become the first man to win three consecutive Roland Garros titles since Bjorn Borg in 1978-81.
"I'm going to play against the best player in tennis history," Nadal said. "I think it's going to be a very beautiful match. The encounters between the number one and number two are always special."
Looked lacklustre
Federer looked lacklustre for much of his semi-final. He committed 45 unforced errors but erased 14 break points, and he saved three set points in the last set to reach his eighth consecutive major final, a record.
"I've put myself in position," Federer said. "I just have one match to go. Hopefully, I can do it this year."
His bid to complete the career Slam was spoiled at Roland Garros each of the past two years by Nadal, who won when they met in the 2005 semi-finals and the 2006 final.
Nadal again appears in top form, winning in straight sets for the sixth match in a row despite a strong effort by the 20-year-old Djokovic.
"He's the best player in the world on this surface," Djokovic said. "He's physically stronger than any other player on the tour."
Nadal improved to 20-0 at Roland Garros and 33-0 in best-of-five-set matches on clay, and he became the first man to reach three consecutive French finals since Jim Courier in 1991-93.
Nadal won a record 81 consecutive clay matches before losing to Federer in the Hamburg Masters final last month.
"He beat me in Hamburg and I don't think he is going to change his game," Nadal said. "I will do my best. It's the only way to beat him."
Federer is bidding to win his fourth consecutive Grand Slam title, something last accomplished by Rod Laver in 1969. Federer seeks his 11th major title, which would tie Laver and Bjorn Borg for third on the career list. He also can complete the career Grand Slam that eluded such champions as Pete Sampras, Jimmy Connors, John McEnroe, Boris Becker and Stefan Edberg - none of whom won at Roland Garros.
Only five men have won all four major events.
By reaching his eighth Grand Slam final in a row, Federer broke a record originally set by Jack Crawford in 1933-34.
"This shows consistency," said Federer, 25. "It always used to be the biggest problem of my young career and now I'm the most consistent player. It's a great feeling being in these big matches over and over. I love it."
Federer has won 27 consecutive Grand Slam matches, two shy of the record Laver set in 1969-70. His last loss in a major event was to Nadal in the French Open final a year ago.
