History Reckons - Nadal or Federer?

Roger Federer Switzerland VS. Rafael Nadal Spain

BACKGROUND As in 2006 and 2007, Roger Federer has reached the final of the only Grand Slam tournament that he has yet to win. Victory here would make him the sixth player in the history of tennis to have won the four major championships. It would also give him his thirteenth Grand Slam crown which would help bring him closer to Pete Sampras’s record fourteen titles. Three-time winner Rafael Nadal has never been beaten at Roland Garros. He is also looking to write his name in the history books by taking a fourth title here. If he does, he will have equalled Björn Borg’s record of four French Open crowns. CURRENT FORM Federer does not appear to have been playing his best tennis this tournament yet here he is in the final. Lapses of concentration have so far cost him three sets. But the Swiss player’s immense experience has made the difference at the vital moments. Also, his aggressive game has meant that he has spent only 17 minutes more on the court than Nadal (13 hours 7 minutes as opposed to 12 hours 50 minutes). Nadal seems to be even stronger this year than in previous years. By his own admission, he has never played as well at Roland Garros. He has yet to drop a set. An air of invincibility surrounded him during his wins over Fernando Verdasco (6-1 6-0 6-2), Nicolas Almagro (6-1 6-1 6-1) and - for the first two and a half sets - Novak Djokovic (6-4 6-2 7-6). Technically, tactically, physically and mentally the world No2 is at the top of his game. STRENGTH Federer is the incarnation of the perfect player. His twelve Grand Slam titles are the result of his superb and pure technique. His serve, forehand, variety, attack and fluid movement are as effective on clay as they are on other surfaces. The courts of Roland Garros have not seen a player as at ease on clay since Björn Borg. The left-hander makes life difficult for his opponents with his outstanding top-spin forehand. Power, stamina, mental strength, great anticipation, speed around the court, great touch… the Spaniard has them all. TACTICS Federer has only beaten Nadal once on clay and that was in the final at Hamburg in 2007. The Swiss player's attacking game worked wonders against a rather tired Nadal. In other matches, he has worried the Spaniard without defeating him. In the semi-final here in 2005 and in the finals in 2006 and 2007, he could not find a way to beat the Spaniard. Nadal is the king of the Philippe Chatrier court. His forehand tortures Federer’s backhand. If he is on his game, he should record his 28th straight victory at Roland Garros and his fourth straight French Open title. HEAD-TO-HEAD The statistics are not in Federer’s favour. Nadal leads their head-to-head 10-6 overall and 8-1 on clay! But the world No1 has repeatedly affirmed that he no longer has a complex about Nadal and has the game to beat him. Is he trying to convince himself? Nadal once again got inside Federer’s head and extended his lead over the Swiss player with his two Master Series’ wins in the finals of Monte Carlo (7-5 7-5) and Hamburg (7-5 6-7 6-3). Federer frequently led in the matches and had his chances, but Nadal was able to wipe out Federer’s advantage and continue his dominance over the world No1.