Sportsnob – Critics Corner

It is the one title that has eluded Roger Federer through his career but today represents the Swiss maestro’s best chance yet to lift the French Open. Gone is World Number One and clay-court wizard Rafael Nadal as are Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray and the title is now wide open for Federer. Standing in his way is Nadal’s conqueror and Swedish hope Robin Soderling.

If Federer does indeed lift the French Open title he will finally have matched that 14 Grand Slam record that is currently held by Pete Sampras. The 27-year-old has made the last three finals in France but has been bettered each time by Nadal, who usurped him as World Number One around this time last year. He faced a tricky semi-final tie against World number five Juan Martín del Potro, getting past him in a very grueling five setter. Federer is now the tennis betting favourite to get past Soderling.

It would be a massive milestone for him to match Sampras’ record and one he thoroughly deserves after such an impressive career. If he does indeed match the record set by Sampras you wonder how long it will be before Nadal betters it anyway, at 23 he already has six Grand Slams under his belt and a blip at this year’s French won’t put him off his hunt for silverware during 2009. If you’re betting on the French Open final I would without a doubt go for Federer.