It will once again be No. 1 versus No. 2 in the finals of French Open. What seemed a foregone conclusion, even before the Grand Slam began. Yesterday’s semifinal wins for Nadal and Federer have confirmed that both of them will square off again in the finals at Roland Garros.
The two top seeds of the tournament booked their places in Sunday’s finals with contrasting wins. Roger Federer stumbled and struggled to beat No. 4 Nikolay Davydenko of Russia 7-5, 7-6 (5), 7-6 (7). Rafael Nadal, on the other hand cruised against No. 6 Novak Djokovic of Serbia, beating him 7-5, 6-4, 6-2.
Davydenko’s match against Federer was characterized as much by Federer’s lackluster performance, as his opponent’s inability to convert the big break points. Apparently, stage fright got through to the Russian and he managed to win just three of the seventeen break points in the entire match.
A frail Davydenko regularly found the baseline and corners, but failed to carry home the advantage. Despite taking lead in all three sets, he lost nerve to loose all of them. Most of all, the Russian player’s weak service let him down and that was the deciding factor in the tiebreaks. When he wasted three set points in the third set, it was clear to one and all that a fight back was nowhere on the cards.
Federer was optimistic after the match and said:
Now I’m in a great position to win the tournament. I’ve played well these two weeks and now there’s just one match to go. Whether I play Nadal or Djokovic, I have a game plan for both of them.
When he was asked about he would really prefer to paly against, he replied that Djokovic was the obvious choice. Swiss’ wish was not granted and he realized later in the day that he would be facing his arch-rival in the finals.
Nadal’s dominance unabated
Rafael Nadal asserted his supremacy on the clay court with a convincing win against Serb Novak Djokovic. He brushed past him in two and a half hours.
Djokovic struggled against the top spinning forehands of Nadal in the opening set and fell behind 5-2. But from thereon in, he clawed back to level things out at 5 games all, only to loose the first set 7-5. after that, there was no looking back from Rafa, as he took the next two sets with little resistance from Serb.
After the match, Nadal sounded upbeat for the final but added:
I know if I play my best tennis, it’s going to be very, very difficult for him (Federer). But I know he’s a better player than me, because the numbers and everything say that.
Dream Final
So what is really in store this Sunday? Regardless of whosoever wins, title match would be fiercely fought. FedEx would be looking to avenge his defeat at the hands of Nadal - twice in the last two years at the French Open. Rafa defeated him in semifinals in 2005 and in finals last year. Revenge alone will be motivation enough for Federer as he tries to win one Grand Slam that has eluded him so far. Nadal, on the other hand, will be vying to win his third title in a row on the clay court of Roland Garros.
Mind games have already begun with both players touting each other as favorites. However, the two have played each other numerous times to fall for any tricks. Both will look to turn on the heat in their pursuit of the title come this Sunday.Just sit back and enjoy.
