French Open: Sunday 25 May to Sunday 8 June
Coverage: BBC TWO, Radio 5 Live and the BBC Sport website.
World number one Roger Federer faces the toughest challenge in tennis when he takes on defending champion Rafael Nadal in Sunday's French Open final.
Nadal has won all Live - Federer v Monfils ...
Live - Nadal v Almagro ...
Swiss big-cheese Federer breezes into Hamburg final ... 27 matches he has played at Roland Garros and is aiming to join Bjorn Borg as the only men in the open era to win four in a row.
The Spaniard has also beaten Federer in the last two finals.
However, Federer is chasing his 13th Grand Slam title and the only one that has so far eluded him.
"I feel better every year," said Federer, who also lost to Nadal in the 2005 semi-finals. "It's no joke. I really do feel well. I'm fitter than ever, how you want to feel on clay.
"Rafa has been sublime this tournament. He hasn't had any problems whatsoever. It isn't like he has not been improving, so I think it's great what's happening in the game.
"We have similar guys always at the very top, and we are testing each other over and over again, so I think it's very entertaining.
"Of course I believe. I believe very strongly that this is my year."
And the 26-year-old Swiss star insists that he would rather face Nadal than anyone else in the final.
"I wanted to be in this position.... that is, Rafa again across the net," he said. "I think it's the ultimate test on clay. It would be so much better to win the French Open by beating him."
While Federer has dropped three sets on his way to the final and suffered a few worrying moments against Gael Monfils in the semi-finals, Nadal has been simply untouchable.
The 22-year-old described his demolition of third seed Novak Djokovic in the last four as: "Almost perfect. Best match at Roland Garros so far, no?"
He added: "I was not expecting to play at this level. I was very dominant on the court. I could throw the ball anywhere I wanted.
"I was dominating both on my forehand and backhand and I didn't have to think that I could make mistakes."
Despite his scintillating form, Nadal too knows that his final opponent represents the biggest threat he could face.
"Always playing against Federer is special. It's a different atmosphere. The tactic is always a little bit different.
"But anyway, I try to play my game. I know for him I have to play my best level. If it's not like this I'm never going to beat him. But I'm just going to try my best. That's the best tactic: play very well."
Nadal has won 10 of his 16 matches against Federer, and nine of 10 on clay, but the Mallorcan is not complacent.
"I don't want to lose, but then anything can happen," he said. "I know that I walk on the court and anything can happen, and I know it's going to be a pretty open match.
"I don't want to think about losing, but I do accept the fact that this can happen."
Borg, who won a total of six titles including four between 1978 and 1981, outlined the challenge facing Federer.
"If Roger wins on Sunday, he will definitely be the greatest to ever play the game," he said.
While of Nadal, the Swede added: "He's playing better and better. It's his best tennis compared to the last three years. He's more confident and stronger.
"He's only 22. He can win seven or eight French Opens. But for me, to watch these guys, it's like watching two artists.
"It will be a really open final. Either of them could win. It will be a long match and very close."
(BBC)
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