Nadal, Federer play for pride in high-voltage French final

Jun 10, 2006, 12:33 GMT

Paris - Despite his public pronouncements naming number 1 Roger Federer as the favourite in their highly anticipated Sunday men's final at the French Open, second seed Rafael Nadal will be unintimidated by the Swiss players' status.

After beating his rival on three finals - two on clay - this season, the 20-year-old Spaniard's actions at the showcase of Roland Garros will speak louder than his repeated praise of his 24-year-old rival.

'He's a normal guy, one of the best (players) in history,' said the defending champion, who has lost only once in five meetings with the seven-time Grand Slam champion.

With four victories on the trot, and two of those prestige clay contests in Monte Carlo and Rome within the past two months, Nadal has the momentum in the dream series.

But the Spaniard insists on playing down his chances on his favourite surface when it comes to facing Federer.

'He's a superstar of the world not just in tennis, in all sports. He's a normal guy, a nice guy. I have a good relation with him.'

As for his own threatening game in the Sunday showdown: 'I can only play my hundred percent. I need play very good match if I want to win, play my best for try the victory.

'If I don't play my best, I'm gonna lose, for sure.'

The impeccable Federer will be playing his 13th straight tournament final. Raging bull Nadal takes a perfect 13-0 record at Roland Garros into the contest, losing just three sets in two years.

The Swiss will be well-rested after playing for just 90 minutes in his semifinal as injured David Nalbandian failed to finish with an abdominal injury. Nadal rolled Croatian Ivan Ljubicic in three sets.

Federer stands 44-3 in 2006 and is bidding to become the first man since Rod Laver in 1969 to hold all four Grand Slam titles simultaneously.

The top seed has shrugged off his previous losses to Nadal, insisting that he's close to a breakthrough.

'Rome and Monte Carlo showed that we were the best players on clay this season. I'm feeling good enough and knowing that I'm playing well.

'I've got to play like I did in Rome (he held two match points), aggressive, patient and everything.

'That seemed that was the way to go at it. It would be fantastic if he wins because to play in our first Grand Slam final against each other.

'That's quite special, you know, number 1 and number 2 in the world.

'I've created a fabulous opportunity for myself, we'll see if I can make it good. If I win the tournament, it will be something special.'