A final to die for

There's a feeling of inevitability that Roger Federer is playing Rafael Nadal in the final of the French Open. It’s the world's No. 1 vs the No. 2. The king of grass taking on the king of clay. And in tennis terms, nothing can be more exciting for the thousands of tennis fans in Roland Garros and the millions around the world.
Both are chasing records and history in their own ways (see Tracking Milestones below). But for Federer there’s much more at stake. Winning the title that’s eluded him so far will help the Swiss Master to connect the crucial link that’ll see him surpass greatness, a living legend of tennis.
Don Bradman is unarguably the greatest cricketer ever. History and his average say that. Yet, people often remember the crucial four runs that the Aussie missed to take his average to an immortal 100. Federer has 10 Grand Slam titles so far, which makes him a modern great. Yet, like Bradman, it’ll be the French Open that fans will remember him for if he doesn’t win the title.
Samuel Johnson, the 18th century English poet and critic, once said: "Great works are performed, not by strength, but by perseverance." Federer can’t be blamed of not trying. The clay is not his favourite surface. He is not the greatest of sliders. His serve and volley game is more suited for the green grass of Wimbledon which Federer has already won four times in a row.
But Federer has come every year to Paris since 1999. He has lost in the 1st round thrice, once each in the 3rd, 4th, quarterfinals, semifinals and the final. Significantly, the last two defeats have come at the hands of Nadal.
There are a few great players who have not won the French Open. But, surely, Federer would like to be counted amongst the likes of Don Budge, Rod Laver and Andre Agassi who have won all the four Grand Slams. Budge and Laver are the only two to have held all the four Grand Slams at one time. If Federer beats Nadal on Sunday, not only will he join Budge and Laver but also put himself in line to complete the Grand Slam. He’s already won the Australian Open this year, he can win the Wimbledon next month blindfolded, and then target his fourth consecutive US Open in September.
"If he wins the French Open on Sunday, he’ll be the greatest player of all time, ahead of Laver and Sampras (highest number of singles Grand Slams - 14)," said seven-time Slam winner John McEnroe in Paris on Friday.
For the second year in a row, Federer has worked his way to a position where he can win the French Open. For the second year in a row, Nadal stands in his way. The Spanish player himself is chasing a piece of history - a hat-trick of Parisian clay, something Bjorn Borg had last achieved in the 80s.
On clay and against Nadal, Federer will always begin the underdog. Nadal’s 7-4 edge ensures that. The world No. 1 may have the crowd rooting for him, but don’t count on Nadal getting emotional. For the Spaniard, the title is a big career tally mark.
In 2007, the two are split 1-1 with Federer defeating Nadal for the first time on clay, in Hamburg last month, and halting his 81-match winning streak. Nadal also won the half-grass-half-clay exhibition match in Mallorca in three sets. The significance of the Hamburg loss will not be lost upon Nadal as Federer won the final set without dropping a game. Nothing can be more insulting to a player who considers himself a specialist.
The final offers a study in contrast. Federer is like a sculptor completely preoccupied with his work, chiselling and caressing every shot in the book. Nadal is a Spanish bull, ready to chase anything hurled at him, with the stamina and power to play from the baseline. Federer’s soothing blue T-shirt gives him a calm, monkish demeanour. Nadal’s sleeveless top, which reveals his muscular arms, and trademark pirates’ bandana portray him as ruthless and robotic.
Like many famous rivalries of the past, this one too has its own tales. However, at 26, Federer may not get many more chances of making it to the Grand Slam of Fame. At 21, Nadal has just toed the door open. May the best man win.