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PARIS -- Here comes the French Open final everyone expected and, except for other players, wanted: No. 1 Novak Djokovic, one victory from becoming the first man in 43 years to win four consecutive major championships, against No. 2 Rafael Nadal, one victory from becoming the only man to win seven titles at Roland Garros. Hows that for high stakes? You can watch the match live on CTV2, Sunday at 9am et/6am pt. Djokovic is undefeated in his past 27 Grand Slam matches, which includes beating Nadal in the finals at Wimbledon in July, the U.S. Open in September, and the Australian Open in January. Nadal has won 51 of 52 career matches at the French Open; only he and Bjorn Borg have won the clay-court tournament six times. Never before have the same two men met in four Grand Slam finals in a row, so its apt that no matter who wins Sunday, his achievement will be monumental. "I have this golden opportunity to make history. This motivates me. It really inspires me. Im really grateful to be in this position, obviously," said the 25-year-old Djokovic, who owns five Grand Slam titles to Nadals 10. "And look, Ill try to prepare for that match and get my hands on that trophy, if I can." Wont be easy, thats for sure. Both Djokovic and Nadal breezed through their semifinals Friday. If this stage of a Grand Slam tournament is supposed to provide a challenge, it did not -- which probably isnt all that stunning in Nadals case, but was rather striking when you consider Djokovic faced 16-time major champion Roger Federer and won 6-4, 7-5, 6-3 in a match that wasnt really that close. "His mental state and preparation for this match was excellent," said Djokovics coach, Marian Vadja, "and this has to happen against Rafa." Nadal found himself flying by the seat of his pants -- OK, white shorts -- on one point against No. 6 David Ferrer, somehow winning the exchange despite falling on his rump. Otherwise, he was completely in control en route to 6-2, 6-2, 6-1 victory. "Im surprised," said Toni Nadal, Rafaels uncle and coach, "because we were expecting a very difficult match against one of the best players in the world." Make no mistake: Ferrer is a formidable opponent, not someone who got hot for a few weeks to sneak into the semifinals. He was playing in his third Grand Slam semifinal. He already won two clay-court titles this year. And it was Ferrer who upset Nadal in the 2011 Australian Open quarterfinals, stopping his bid for a fourth consecutive Grand Slam title -- the milestone Djokovic now seeks. Nadal won all 15 sets hes played this year at Roland Garros, losing only 35 games, the lowest total for anyone reaching a major final since Borg lost 31 on his way to winning the 1980 French Open. Nadal has won 71 of 72 service games, saving 18 of 19 break points. Pretty close to perfect. "I really dont like to talk about perfection, because that, my opinion, doesnt exist. You can always play better," said the 26-year-old Nadal, whose only loss at the French Open came against Robin Soderling in the fourth round in 2009. "But, sure, I am very happy the way that I am playing. Probably today was my best match of the tournament." With Ferrer serving at 1-1, 30-all in the second set, Nadal produced a masterpiece, turning a gaffe into a highlight. During a point that lasted more than 30 shots, Nadals feet slipped out from under him as he sprinted toward the net. On the slow-motion replay, its easy to see that his eyes never left the ball, even as he crashed to the court. Suddenly sitting -- yes, plopped on his backside, right there in the middle of the most important clay-court stadium in the world -- Nadal raised his left arm to slice a backhand drop shot that prolonged the point and drew Ferrer forward. As if that werent impressive enough, Nadal popped up like a jack-in-the-box in time for the next shot, a volley-lob that arced over Ferrers head and settled near the baseline. Ferrer, no slouch himself in the speed department, got to the ball, but his forehand landed in the net. That gave Nadal a break point, and he converted it in much more conventional fashion, staying upright until Ferrer simply pushed a forehand long. "Both of us were playing more or less the same type of tennis, but then he started to become more and more aggressive," Ferrer said. "There was nothing I could do to fight back." Federer appeared to feel that way, too, particularly after Djokovic broke him four times in the second set. At the start of that set, Federer actually appeared to get going. He broke to go ahead 1-0 in a game that featured a particularly compelling, 38-stroke point. Federer hit a drop shot that Djokovic slid and stretched to get, the ball an inch or so off the ground; Federer replied with a lob that sent Djokovic sprinting to the baseline for a no-look, back-to-the-net, between-the-legs passing shot; Federer knocked home a volley winner. Djokovic, chest heaving, smiled as he went to towel off. A year ago in the French Open semifinals, Federer snapped Djokovics 43-match winning streak in a four-set thriller. On Friday, Vajda explained afterward, Djokovic was determined to play "extremely patient ... not rushing." Worked wonders. Increasingly confounded by his opponent and the swirling wind, Federer made a very un-Federer-like 46 unforced errors. Djokovic made 17. "I was struggling to sort of keep the ball in play," said Federer, who is 30 and nearly 2 1/2 years removed from his most recent major championship. "When youre down two sets to love against Novak, its not the same match anymore. He goes for broke and there is no more fear." Asked to size up Sundays final, Federer didnt hesitate. "I obviously pick Rafa," Federer said. "I think hes the overwhelming favourite." If Djokovic wins his first French Open final, he will join Don Budge in 1938, and Rod Laver in 1962 and 1969, as winners of four Grand Slam trophies in succession. Budge and Laver went 4 for 4 within a calendar year each time. Federer twice came close to doing what Djokovic hopes to accomplish: In 2006 and 2007, Federer entered the French Open final needing one win for a fourth consecutive major title. Federers opponent each time? Nadal, naturally. One significant difference: Federer is 10-18 against Nadal, including 2-6 in Grand Slam finals; Djokovic is 14-18 overall against Nadal, but 3-1 in Grand Slam finals. Djokovic won all six matches he played against Nadal in 2011, then made it seven straight with their 5-hour, 53-minute epic final at the Australian Open. Nadal, though, has won their two meetings since, both on clay in May. "Theres a lot on the line. It always is, when youre playing finals of a Grand Slam," Djokovic said. "Considering the matches that we played against each other in last 15 months, we expect another emotional match, another big challenge for both of us, fighting for one of the four biggest titles in our sport." wholesale nfl jerseys . Henderson dethroned Edgar via decision when they met at UFC 144 in February in Japan. The UFC has confirmed the Aug. 11 date but not the main event. It has announced two bouts for the show in Denver, which was home to UFC 1 and 2 as well as 135. wholesale jerseys . -- Ryan Madson finalized a $3. http://www.cheapjerseysnflchina.us/ . - Cory Boyd is making the most of his chances this season. cheap nfl jerseys . The world No. 1 Djokovic recovered from his five-set marathon in the fourth round and claimed a 6-1, 4-6, 6-1, 6-4 victory over former Wimbledon runner-up Tomas Berdych after the fourth-seeded Ferrer had rallied from a two-set and a break deficit to stave off fellow Spaniard Nicolas Almagro, 4-6, 4-6, 7-5, 7-6 (7-4), 6-2 for his 500th career match win. cheap jerseys from china . -- Giving Braylon Edwards another shot might have seemed like a move of desperation but it may turn out to be a shrewd decision by the Seattle Seahawks.WASHINGTON -- Derek Jeter hit a slow grounder to Washington Nationals shortstop Ian Desmond with the bases loaded in the top of the seventh. As Jeter crossed first base, Desmonds throw sailed into foul territory, and two runs scored on the play. Those were the first runs of a four-run seventh for the New York Yankees, who went on to beat the Nationals 7-2 on Friday night. "Hes made those plays all year long," Washington manager Davey Johnson said of Desmond. "Hes got a cannon, and a good throw, hes out. "You just cant mistakes on this club. Its a learning curve." Both teams entered with six-game winning streaks and leading their divisions. For the Nationals, the attention was unusual, the stands were packed, with many rooting for the Yankees. "We all love to play in those kinds of atmospheres," Nationals third baseman Ryan Zimmerman said. "I think we havent had a chance to play in many of them in the seven years Ive been here, but its always fun when you get to get out there and play in what I think playoff baseball would feel like." Gio Gonzalez (8-3) allowed three runs and five hits in six-plus innings, walking two and striking out eight. He is 1-5 against the Yankees and left trailing 2-1 after allowing a leadoff single to Andruw Jones in the seventh. Curtis Granderson drove in three runs, including two on a seventh-inning double, and Jeter had two hits. Phil Hughes (7-5) pitched six innings to win his fourth straight start. He allowed a run and six hits, walked two and struck out nine. Cody Eppley and Clay Rapada worked two scoreless innings. David Robertson allowed a run in the ninth. Against Brad Lidge in the seventh, pinch-runner Dewayne Wise stole second, Russell Martin walked, and both advanced on Jayson Nixs sacrifice bunt. Robinson& Cano was intentionally walked to bring up Jeter.dddddddddddd Michael Gonzalez relieved Lidge and allowed Grandersons two-run double to make it 6-1. Granderson hit his 20th home run with one out in the ninth. The Yankees scored two runs in the third. Jeter doubled with one out. After Mark Teixeira walked with two outs, Alex Rodriguez singled to score Jeter. The RBI was A-Rods 1,924th, tying him with Jimmie Foxx for sixth place on the all-time list. Nick Swisher followed with an RBI single. Steve Lombardozzi and Bryce Harper began the bottom of the third with singles off Hughes. With one out, Adam LaRoche walked to load the bases. Michael Morses single scored Lombardozzi. NOTES: The win was New York manager Joe Girardis 500th in the major leagues. ... Robertson made his first appearance after missing a month with a strained oblique muscle. ... Cano did not start. He is 0 for 9 against Gonzalez. He had been spiked in the left leg on Tuesday in Atlanta. ... Yankees reliever Joba Chamberlain, who dislocated his right ankle bouncing on a trampoline with his son on March 22, said he could face hitters for the first time in about 10 days. ... Johnson said that RHP Henry Rodriguez (right index finger), will begin a rehab assignment in a day or two. Rodriguez is eligible to come off the DL on June 21. ... RHP Drew Storen is still several weeks away from returning, Johnson said. He hasnt pitched this season due to a right elbow injury ... New York LHP Andy Pettitte celebrated his 40th birthday on Friday. Hell start Saturday against Washington RHP Jordan Zimmermann. ... Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor, a Yankees fan, chatted on the field with Nationals OF Jayson Werth and Johnson. Army Gen. Martin Dempsey, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, threw out the first pitch. ' ' '
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