Showdown In Paris: Federer vs. Nadal For Title

Friday, June 8th 2007, 7:36 am

By: News On 6

PARIS (AP) _ Roger Federer was relishing his semifinal victory Friday at the French Open and contemplating the match still under way between his nemesis, Rafael Nadal, and Novak Djokovic.

Would he rather face Nadal in the final?

``That,'' Federer said with a smile in the interview room, ``would be stupid.''

He didn't get his wish, but tennis fans can look forward to a showdown Sunday: Roger vs. Rafa.

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 Djokovic 7-5, 6-4, 6-2.

On Sunday, the top-ranked 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 No. 1 and No. 2 are always special.''

Federer looked lackluster for much of his semifinal. 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 semifinals 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.

``For that reason, maybe he's the favorite,'' Nadal said with a straight face. ``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: to Nadal in the French Open final a year ago.

Playing for the women's title Saturday will be three-time champion Justine Henin and 19-year-old Serb Ana Ivanovic, a first-time Grand Slam finalist.

Henin, who seeks to become the first player since Monica Seles in 1990-92 to win three consecutive French Open titles, watched part of the first men's semifinal. Federer improved to 9-0 against Davydenko but found the 3-hour match a struggle from the start.

``I could have lost in three sets,'' Federer said.

He fell behind 2-4, love-40 in the opening set before he rallied, repeatedly erasing break points with big serves and breaking in the final game. When the set ended, Davydenko had converted one of 11 break-point chances, and Federer was 2-for-2.

``He broke me in the first set, mentally a little bit,'' Davydenko said. ``And in the second set, I was already more tired.''

Davydenko kept Federer pinned behind the baseline, and in each of the next two sets the Russian served for the set _ then failed to close it out.

The most remarkable seesaw sequence came with Davydenko serving at 5-3 in the third set. During the sloppy 20-point game, Federer failed to convert five break-point chances, and Davydenko squandered two set points, sailing a forehand long each time.

Federer finally broke when Davydenko dumped a backhand in the net. That made Federer 4-for-15 converting break-point chances.

Davydenko finished 3-for-17 and committed 53 unforced errors. The Russian held one last set point at 7-6 in the final tiebreaker, but Federer hit a service winner. Two points later, Davydenko chipped a backhand wide to give a visibly relieved Federer the victory.

``When you play well, it's easy,'' said Federer's father, Robert. ``When you're not playing well, those are the big wins, the battles. He battled today.

``We were nervous. We're not used to these battles so much.''

Federer is certain to be tested by Nadal, whose typically dogged play deflated Djokovic. As always, the Spaniard chased down shots all over the court and hit winners even from beyond the sideline.

``I'm extremely happy,'' Nadal said. ``I played some nice shots today.''

Nadal finished with 34 winners and only 16 unforced errors. After he made a mad dash to swat a running forehand winner and break for a 4-3 lead in the second set, Djokovic sat in his chair and crossed himself, as if in tribute to his opponent.

The weary Serb became so desperate that in the opening game of the final set he tried drop shots on consecutive points, both landing in the net, prompting brief whistles of disapproval from fans.

But they applauded Djokovic at the finish.

``Today was my first semifinal of a Grand Slam ever in my career, and I think I played really well,'' he said. ``I have time. I'm only 20. I'm really happy with my performance.''