Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal set-up a history-making French Open final on Friday courtesy of devastating straight-sets, semifinal wins which confirmed their mastery of the men's game.
World No.1 Djokovic crushed third seed Roger Federer 6-4, 7-5, 6-3 to reach a first Roland Garros final while six-time champion Nadal, the world No.2 , breezed past Spanish compatriot David Ferrer 6-2, 6-2, 6-1.
On Sunday, history will be made as a win for Djokovic will make him only the third man to hold all four Grand Slam trophies at the same time.
A win for Nadal, whose record in Paris now stands at 51 wins against just one defeat, will mean he'd be the first man to win the French Open seven times, breaking a tie with Swedish legend Bjorn Borg.
Dream come true
“I am happy to be in the final here, it's always difficult to play against Roger,” said Djokovic, who had his 43-match winning streak ended by Federer at the same stage of Roland Garros 12 months ago.
“It's a dream to be in the final, but Rafa, who always plays so well here, will be the favourite.”
Both Djokovic and Federer had looked far from convincing in reaching this stage.
Djokovic came back from two sets to love down to beat Andreas Seppi in the fourth round before saving four match points against Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in a five-set quarterfinal.
Federer had also been two sets to love down to Juan Martin del Potro in his five-set, last eight match before battling back.
In a tight opening set, Federer had the first break to lead 3-2 but couldn't capitalise when Djokovic hit straight back.
The Serb then served two love games to lead 5-4 before the first set was his when Federer mis-hit a forehand which ballooned beyond the tramlines.
But the Swiss edged the early break in the second set in a game which featured a gruelling 36-shot rally won by Federer with a volley off a Djokovic ‘between the legs shot.
The world No. 3 held to love and broke again for 3-0.
Djokovic then capitalised on a sloppy Federer service game to break back at 1-3 and held for 2-3 before the third seed steadied for a 4-2 advantage.
The Serb, who had confidently defeated Federer in the semi-finals on clay in Rome in straight sets just last month, was under siege again in his next service game, saving three break points.
In a topsy-turvy set, Djokovic broke for 4-4 but allowed Federer back in the driving seat to lead 5-4.
But the 16-time Grand Slam title winner couldn't shake off the world No.1 who broke again in the 10th game, backed up by a hold for 6-5 and then claimed the set courtesy of a loose backhand and a wild forehand by the Swiss.
Djokovic was in the ascendancy now, breaking for 4-2 in the third and taking the match when Federer buried a backhand return into the net.
Defeat ended Federer's hopes making a 24th Grand Slam final.
Complete match
Nadal said his demolition of Ferrer was one of the most complete matches he has played for some time.
Ferrer opened well with a love service game and he more than held his own in the early exchanges. The sixth seed set up the first two break points of the match in the fourth game.
But the steely resolve of Nadal denied him a 3-1 lead. The man they know as ‘The Bulldozer' immediately paid the price as the defending champion broke him to love.
Two games later Nadal produced another love break to take a 5-2 lead and already an all too familiar pattern had once again been set. Nadal tucked away the set 6-2, prompting a change of shirt for Ferrer from white to pink.
But the result in the second set was much the same with Nadal at one point winning a marathon rally during which he hit one shot sitting on the court after losing his footing.
Nadal secured a third break of serve to lead 4-1 after which the heavens opened to give Ferrer some respite from the Nadal assault.
Play resumed 55 minutes later and Nadal wasted no time in going two sets up with two holds of serve.
Ferrer's second double fault of the match opened the way for Nadal to break serve again at the start of the third set and Ferrer was left with a mountain to climb.
51st match win
He never looked likely of doing that as Nadal swept into the final for the seventh time in eight years on the back of his 51st match win.
“Before the match, I didn't expect anything other than to go to the court and try my best,” said Nadal. “He played me tough in Barcelona and Rome. This was a fantastic match for me, I'm very content to be in another final.
“I've worked hard all my life to enjoy moments like today. I'm having a very good season. I can only try my best and be focused and be humble.”
“He plays better than me all the time,” said Ferrer. “It's difficult to say something, no? He was better, and he had a very good match.”
Men: Semifinals: 1-Rafael Nadal bt 6-David Ferrer 6-2, 6-2, 6-1; 1-Novak Djokovic bt 3-Roger Federer 6-4, 7-5, 6-3.
Women's doubles: Final: 4-Sara Errani & Roberta Vinci bt 4-Maria Kirilenko & Nadia Petrova 4-6, 6-4, 6-2.
