Federer again faces Nadal in French Open final

(BEIJING, June 7) -- For the third time in three years, only one man stands in the way of Roger Federer's career Grand Slam: fiery Spaniard Rafael Nadal. Federer overcame the will of the Paris crowd on June 6 to fend off French phenom Gael Monfils 6-2, 5-7, 6-3, 7-5 and advance to the finals at Roland Garros.

One of the surprising storylines of the 2008 French Open, unseeded Monfils made Federer earn his final's berth, nearly pushing the semifinal match to a fifth set. Standing six foot four inches (1.93 meters) tall, and only 21 years old, Monfils earned big cheers from the crowd with every sweeping forehand and each of his 10 aces. When he saved two match points to tie Federer 5-5 in the fourth set, he raised his arms to rally the crowd. They responded with a deafening roar.

But in the end, the cool and creative World No. 1 was too much for Monfils, overcoming 30 unforced errors with his trademark variety of how-did-he-do-that forehand, backhand and drop shot winners.

The Swiss player will need every shot in his arsenal -- and then some -- to defeat Nadal, whose 27-0 record and three consecutive championships at the French Open and 8-1 clay court record against Federer make him the heavy favorite.

Though Federer acknowledges the daunting task ahead, he remains confident. "I've been hoping for this to happen," he told ESPN, "It's a big thrill to play Rafa again here in the final. I have the tactics, the fitness to beat him. It's so much better to win the French Open by beating him.

"Of course I believe very strongly this is my year."