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Reuters 17y

PREVIEW-Tennis-Federer must show class to tame claycourt king

By Patrick Vignal

PARIS, June 9 - Excellence comes naturally to
Roger Federer and only his very best will do if he is to prevent
Rafael Nadal from completing a hat-trick of titles in Sunday's
French Open final.

World number one Federer, chasing the only grand slam crown
to elude him, knows exactly what he must not do against the
world number two, and that is run out of steam after a great
start, like last year, when the Spaniard won 1-6 6-1 6-4 7-6.

"Last year I came out of the blocks very, very strong with a
great first set but after that, I couldn't handle Nadal,"
Federer said. "So I hope this year's going to be different."

The ultimate weapon on clay, the 21-year-old Nadal, can wear
down any opponent with his relentless groundstrokes and will
fight for every ball.

Federer, who masters every shot in the book, has what it
takes to trouble him, providing he is ready for a bruising
battle against the Spanish dynamo with the bulging biceps.

"Physically and mentally, I'm ready," Federer said.

The difference from last year is that the elegant Swiss has
beaten the explosive Spaniard on clay at last, in the Hamburg
final last month.

The 25-year-old Federer, who trails Nadal 5-1 on clay, now
knows he can beat Nadal on the slow surface and there is no
better time and place to do it again than the final Sunday on
the Roland Garros Centre Court.

MERCILESS WINNERS

"The only difference is that I know now that I have defeated
Rafa on clay in Hamburg, so maybe that will help me get on the
right tracks", Federer hoped.

Having lost to Federer once does not mean Nadal, who dreams
of becoming the first man with three successive titles here
since Bjorn Borg in 1980, has become vulnerable.

The muscular Majorcan has advanced to the title match
without dropping a set, crushing everything in his path with
merciless forehand winners to extend his 100 percent French Open
record.

Now he could stop Federer from becoming the third player
after Don Budge and Rod Laver to hold all four grand slam titles
at the same time.

As if to take some of the pressure off, Nadal suggested his
opponent was the slight favourite.

"He's the best player in the history of the game and I will
have to be at my very best", said the Spaniard. "That's the only
way you can beat Roger."

Federer realises he has more to gain from what promises to
be a thrilling, tight contest.

By winning on Sunday, Nadal would confirm only that he is
the best claycourt player.

If Federer managed to prevent Nadal from lifting the
Musketeers' Cup again, he would establish himself as the top
player on any surface and, arguably, the greatest ever.

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