The Roland Garros Thread #1 For 6/3/11 (Updated): Just Another Year Older, But Still Wiser

Rafael Nadal has reached another final here at Roland Garros, defeating good friend Andy Murray once more in a straight sets win that was far from routine.

The 6-4, 7-5, 6-4 win by Nadal at least secures him his #1 ranking for a few more hours, with Novak Djokovic taking over the top spot from him with a victory over Roger Federer in the succeeding semifinal.

To the Scotsman's credit, he validated that despite not having a Grand Slam title unlike his Big 4 colleagues, he can still provide a fiercely competitive match where nothing short of best will beat him.

But Nadal was just that today, with clutch serving, wicked forehands, and displaying temerity with some serve and volley play even.

The clay court master has relocated the confidence he was in dire search for before his quarterfinal matchup with Robin Soderling. And only a perfect 3 sets will be enough to deny him a record tying 6th title with Bjorn Borg here in Paris.

Pre match analysis:

From tennis.com

Tactics for the Murray-Nadal match

For Andy Murray:
1. Play like you have no pressure on your shoulders, and try to make this match have the dynamics of the 2008 US Open semifinal you played against him. You have nothing to lose and all to gain here, as Nadal is the one with all the pressure on his shoulders.

2. Win the forehand battle, but make this a match about the backhand as much as possible. The relaxation that you will bring to this match will allow you to go for your shots and play the tennis required to cause a major stir, as well as open the backhand down the line.

3. Make this an all court match more than just a baseline duel. Give Nadal the different looks required, especially after his quality improved immensely against Soderling in the quarters.

For Rafael Nadal:
1. Show Murray that you will look to dominate from the start, and that your performance against Soderling was just the start of truly re-establishing your dominance on this court and on this surface.

2. Keep being aggressive on the backhand if you have an opening, without leaving a ball short that Murray could attack.

3. Be ready for Murray's drop shots, as well as making him a possible second set after his reply.

Prediction: Murray has nothing to lose at all, and the pressure again is all on the world #1. But Nadal went up to his legendary level against Soderling, and now finally has the confidence required for him to win his 6th French Open.

Nadal in 4 great sets.