Much of the tennis world were hoping for a rematch between Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, and they got their wish. Federer seemed off-colour but reached a record eighth consecutive Slam final by downing Nikolay Davydenko 7-5, 7-6, 7-6, while Nadal wore down Serbian prodigy Novak Djokovic 7-5, 6-4, 6-2.
Two-time defending champ Nadal bested Federer in last year's final in four sets, and also took down the 10-time Grand Slam champion in the 2005 semi-finals, but Federer upended Nadal in the Hamburg final for the first time in six attempts on red clay last month and believes that they will enter the 2007 final on almost equal terms.
“I think that's quite open,” Federer said. “He has already won the title twice, so I'd say he is favourite, and he also won 81 matches in a row, and now he is No.1 on clay this year. But anything can happen in just one match and I have had beautiful results in Grand Slam tournaments, so we're almost even now. It's going to be a wonderful, wonderful match, a very special match.”
Showing tremendous foot speed and a willingness to go for the corners, Davydenko gave the 25-year-old Swiss fits all match long, but even though he was up break in all three sets, the Russian could never close the door, as Federer consistently changed strategy and confused him as to what he right tactics should be. "Anything could have happened in this match," Federer said, "It was tight until the end. I could have lost in three sets but I won. He's an excellent player and that was a good test for me before the final."
Attempting to notch his first victory over Federer in nine attempts and also reach his first Grand Slam final, the No.4 seed was pleased with his effort, but not how he responded on the big points. “It was a pretty tough match,” he said. “It was physically tough and mentally, because we both play fast tennis, but I know I have not enough power for the entire match. And when he had important points, he had more concentration and just he tried to finish. He tried to win. And on my important points, I'm losing. That was why he won.”
Federer kept his dream alive to become the first man to win the calendar year Grand Slam since Rod Laver in 1969. If he were playing anyone else in the final, he would likely be considered a lock to win his first Roland Garros title as, despite being slightly underrated on this surface, he is a stand-out clay court player. In order to beat Nadal - who was too fast, too strong and too steady for Djokovic – he will not only have to mix up his play but also execute like he has never done before on Chatrier against the Spaniard – a true backboard who troubles him with his heavy left-handed spin.
Nadal is trying to become the first man with three successive Roland Garros titles since Bjorn Borg in 1980 and he has no intention of participating in Federer's Grand Slam dream.
“It would mean a lot [to win this title],” Federer said. "There's not much more I can say, really. I've put myself in the position, now I just have one match to go. So hopefully I can do it this year.”
