NADAL (LEFT) AND FEDERER (RIGHT)
PARIS (AP):
BJORN BORG has no doubt what it would mean if Roger Federer finally manages to beat Rafael Nadal in the French Open final.
"He definitely will be the greatest player ever to play the game," Borg said yesterday, a day before No. 1-ranked Federer meets No. 2 Nadal in their third consecutive championship match at Roland Garros.
While Borg preferred not to make a prediction, he does expect a tight contest.
"A lot of people, they say no one can beat Nadal tomorrow the way he's been playing," Borg said. "But I think Roger has a really, really good chance."
Plans to be present
Borg plans to be present today, watching in person as Nadal tries to equal the Swede's mark of four consecutive titles at Roland Garros. Just as, last year, he sat in the front row during the Wimbledon final and watched Federer beat Nadal to equal Borg's mark of five consecutive titles at the All England Club.
"They produce the best tennis you can play," said Borg, who won 11 Grand Slam titles and was only 25 when he played his last major in 1981 before retiring. "It's like two artists playing out there, both of them."
Nadal is 10-6 against Federer - including 8-1 on clay, and 3-0 at the French Open - making him the only active player to have faced the Swiss star more than four times and compile a winning record against him.
Still, Federer insists he is confident about his chances today.
"Of course I believe," he said. "I believe very strongly that this is my year."
For each of the last four years, Federer has come to Paris knowing that he needed a French Open title to complete a career Grand Slam, something only five men have accomplished: André Agassi, Don Budge, Roy Emerson, Rod Laver and Fred Perry.
In 2005, that pursuit ended in the semi-finals against Nadal.
In 2006 and 2007, he made it to the final, but lost each time to Nadal.
"This is a big thing for him," Borg said. "He never won Paris, and that's his biggest goal."
The greats of the game who never did win the French Open include Pete Sampras, John McEnore, Jimmy Connors, Boris Becker and Stefan Edberg. It's Sampras' career record of 14 Grand Slam titles that Federer is chasing; a victory today would bring his total to 13.
Slightly different strategy
As Borg pointed out, Federer could employ a slightly different strategy this time. In his semi-final victory over Gael Monfils, Federer came to the net more than 60 times, a high total on clay, a slower surface which dulls the serves and approach shots that make it easier to push forward.
Nadal doesn't necessarily expect a significant difference in Federer's play.
"When one player is almost perfect," Nadal said yesterday, "it's very difficult to change a lot of things, no?"
Borg also finds Nadal's game to be improved and said he thinks the Spaniard could wind up with seven or eight French Open titles. Borg also believes Nadal will win Wimbledon one day, after having lost to Federer in the last two finals there.
It is on clay, though, where Nadal has established himself as predominant.
"He's a favourite in every match he plays, against whoever he plays, on this court," said No. 3 Novak Djokovic, who managed to win only 12 games against Nadal in a straight-set defeat in the semi-finals. "He never lost here."
"Invincible? No, he's not," said Nadal's uncle and coach, Toni.
Asked to compare the 2008 version of Nadal to the Nadal of the previous three French Opens, his uncle said with a smile: "He's a year older."
Turning more serious, Toni Nadal added: "This year is the year he's played the best here."
Tough to argue with that.
