For the third year in a row, Roger Federer will face Rafael Nadal in the final of Roland Garros. With the Spaniard in sublime form and chasing a record-equalling fourth consecutive Grand Slam title in Paris, will Federer ever get his hands on the one trophy that has eluded him so far?

It would appear that time is running out for Federer. Only two title wins away from matching Pete Sampras's record 14 Slams, the Swiss master still seems perfectly capable of meeting this record himself and perhaps even exceeding it. But sadly for Federer, his impressive list of achievements may have to lack the one title which he now covets the most.

Federer has proved time and time again that he is the most versatile player in tennis. With a game practically devoid of flaws, he can produce strokes of genius in any situation and on any surface. All of this, however, does not seem to be enough when facing someone as brilliant on the clay surface as Nadal.

Nadal's road to the final this year has been easy. He has demolished world No.26 Jarkko Nieminen, No.23 Fernando Verdasco, No.20 Nicolas Almagro, one of the greatest clay players in the world, and finally world No.3 and Australian Open champion Novak Djokovic.

The Spaniard has yet to drop a set - his toughest challenge of the tournament before being taken to a third-set tie-breaker by Djokovic was to be taken to 7-5 in the first round by qualifier Thomaz Bellucci. Is it any wonder that Nadal seems invincible?

Federer will face a confident, in-form and unstoppable clay master who seems destined to set his own records on the surface. The once untouchable Federer now appears to have chinks in his armour after already falling seven times this year and having to play four sets in three of his six matches at Roland Garros – something that would have been unheard of for the world No.1 only a year ago.