Tennis: Nadal downs Ljubicic to set up dream final

PARIS - Defending champion Rafael Nadal set up potentially the greatest final in French Open history when he edged out Croatian fourth seed Ivan Ljubicic 6-4 6-2 7-6 on Friday.

The Spanish second seed will defend his crown against world number one Roger Federer on Sunday. It will be the first time since 1984 that a Roland Garros men's final will feature the top two seeds.

Nadal extended his perfect Paris record to 13-0 and stretched his winning streak on the slow surface to 59 matches.

Earlier on Friday, Federer reached his first final at the claycourt grand slam after Argentine David Nalbandian pulled out with stomach problems while trailing 3-6 6-4 5-2.

"It will be a beautiful final after the matches we played in Monte Carlo and Rome," said Nadal, who won epic encounters against the Swiss in the two Masters finals this year and leads their head-to-head 5-1.

After stepping on centre court as the hot favourite, Nadal began swiftly by breaking in the third and fifth games of the first set for a 4-1 lead.

Ljubicic, who was playing his first grand slam semi-final, reduced the gap when he claimed his opponent's serve in the sixth game but it did not stop Nadal from securing the set in 56 minutes.

Buoyant Nadal won a war of nerves in the third game of the second set to break the Croatian. He did not look back and went up two sets to love.

Ljubicic rallied in the third set, relying on a devastating first serve to keep Nadal at bay and force a tiebreak.

He opened a 5-3 lead but the Spaniard fought back to win 9-7 and claim the match after two hours and 49 minutes.

"I am very happy. He had started to play very well in the third set," acknowledged Nadal.

"When I was down in the third set, I've been able to change my tactics and use my forehand a little bit more."

- REUTERS