How much time does Roger Federer have left? Put it this way: He just reached the semi-finals in Paris for the third year in a row, but he turns 27 in August. The French Open is a young man's event. Fresh legs, boundless energy, it favours players like three-time defending champion Rafael Nadal, who's all of 22.

Put another way: Federer's last real shot at bagging Roland Garros is right now. This weekend. That's right, you heard it here first.

The world No.1 may never get an easier road to the final. Sam Querrey, Albert Montanes, Mario Ancic and Julien Benneteau were his early-round opponents. By luck of the draw, Federer has steered clear of any significant, dangerous clay-court floaters.

'The best bit of fortune for Federer happened with the flip of a coin, which decided in which half of the draw the No.3 seed, Novak Djokovic, would be placed'


His quarter-final opponent on Wednesday, Fernando Gonzalez, was the first seeded player (at No.24) that Federer has faced. Gonzo's a big hitter but an erratic one, too, and after adjusting to his pace, the Swiss master easily dispatched him in four sets.

And you get the feeling that Federer isn't exactly worried about facing Gael Monfils in the semi-finals. Federer is 3-0 against the young Frenchman.

Of course, the best bit of fortune for Federer happened with the flip of a coin, which decided in which half of the draw the No.3 seed, Novak Djokovic, would be placed. Instead of having to face his two main rivals, who've got the better of Federer lately, back-to-back in the semi-finals and final, Roger has to get through just one of them. Who would you rather play - Monfils or Djokovic, and then, inevitably, Nadal?

Since Federer hasn't been pushed much this tournament - he's lost two sets and cruised through the others - and if, as expected, he has an easy time in the semi-finals against Monfils, Federer will be fresh and fired up for the trophy match.

It's all set up perfectly for him. No disrespect to his other opponents, but things couldn't be breaking better for Roger. Will he ever get a better draw again, without the dangerous floaters and with his two biggest threats cancelling each other out in the semi-finals?

But Federer, if not at his peak, is just past it. While the French Open has crowned a few elder statesmen as champions, like 29-year-old Andre Agassi in 1999 and 27-year-old Thomas Muster in 1995, the rest of the titlists over the last decade have all been under 27, with most, like Gustavo Kuerten, Carlos Moya and Juan Carlos Ferrer, closer to 20.

Time is running out, no question about it. Federer will never have a better opportunity to become the GOAT than he does right now. But win or lose, he should at least send a box of Swiss chocolates to whoever tossed that coin during the draw ceremony.