Federer
Bjorn Borg believes Roger Federer has a chance to end Rafael Nadal's
three-year French Open reign on Sunday.
Federer, the world number one, and Nadal, the best claycourter of
his generation, meet in their third successive Roland Garros final.
"A lot of people say no one can beat Nadal tomorrow, the way he's
been playing. But I think Roger has a really, really good chance
tomorrow," said Borg, the winner of six French Open and five Wimbledon
titles.
"It's the best I've seen Roger play on claycourt for the last three
years. He's made a few changes this year. He's slightly more patient
when he plays. He's slightly more aggressive.
"He's using his forehand more in a different way and I think he's
feeling more comfortable and more confident on the clay when he plays.
So that's why the final tomorrow is going to be very interesting."
Nadal has so far looked unbeatable, flattening all his opponents
like a runaway bulldozer. Such has been his dominance that for the
second year running he has reached the final without dropping a set.
French Open coverage
Before Friday's last-four showdown against third seed Novak
Djokovic, the Spaniard had lost only 25 games -- the fewest dropped by
a man reaching the semi-final of any grand slam.
Although no one has come close to defeating Nadal in the heartland
of claycourt tennis, where he has a 27-0 record since making his debut
in 2005, Borg said if anyone could stop him it would be Federer as the
Swiss had so much riding on Sunday's match.
The 12-times major champion is hoping to complete his collection of
grand slam titles by winning the Musketeers' Cup. Should he defeat
Nadal on Sunday, he will become only the sixth man to complete a career
grand slam.
"It's one more match to go for Roger. For him, it's a huge match
tomorrow," said Borg.
"He never won Paris and that's his biggest goal. If you win Paris,
no doubt he's the greatest player who ever played the game."
Borg said that as Nadal was also chasing a record -- to become only
the second man after the great Swede to win four in a row in Paris
since the event went international in 1925 -- the Spaniard would be a
formidable obstacle in Federer's path.
"Every match now he's been playing here in Paris he's been playing
better and better. The way Rafael is playing, he's probably playing his
best tennis so far, if you compare to the other three years here in
Paris.
"He is very mentally strong. Because on clay every point he plays is
a match point. That's the thing. The final tomorrow is very important
for Roger not to give any points free to Nadal. He cannot do that.
I'm looking forward to this final tomorrow, because I know it's
going to be a close match.
| Cricket Scorecards
Share | 
Print | Rate 
