Tym Glaser - final word

HI FOLKS and folkettes, it's that time of year again when young men and women run around in mud and don't get in any trouble with their parents.

Yes, the French Open on the red clay at Roland Garros serves off tomorrow with the clay king, Rafael Nadal, and the regent of every other surface, Roger Federer, apparently predestined for another muddy showdown in Paris.

Since his breakthrough at Wimbledon in 2003, Federer, arguably the greatest player of all-time, has dominated the Slams with a phenomenal 10 crowns from 15 events. However, the cool Swiss' Achilles' heel is the French, which he is yet to win.

Standing in his way off a full collection of major titles is Pirates of the Caribbean extra, Nadal, whose two Slam titles have come at the past two Frenchies.

The long-haired, pantaloon-and-bandana-wearing Spaniard must live in an adobe house; he loves clay so much.

Ridiculous streak

Fittingly, it took world No. 1 Federer to break Nadal's ridiculous streak of 81 straight victories on the slowest surface last week in the Hamburg Masters final.

If all this makes the men's section seem like a two-horse race, guess what? You're spot on.

Armadas of Spaniards and South Americans generally bank on the French being their fortnight in the tennis spotlight before drifting off into tennis hibernation as the game moves to Wimbledon's grass and then the hardcourt events.

However, none have, in recent times, shown the staying power and talent of Federer and Nadal.

Argentine Guillermo Canas, returning from a drug ban, has beaten Federer twice this year; oft-injured Aussie Lleyton Hewitt has found his feet on the surface in recent weeks and Russian Nikolay Davydenko and Croat Ivan Ljubicic, are legitimate threats anywhere, but it would take a colossal upset to deny the dream match-up between Federer and Nadal.

Low-key Federer is simply the most sublime player to ever wield a racquet. He has every shot in the book and plays them with ridiculous ease and angles. He also has that rare amalgam of power and touch which constantly keeps his rival guessing.

Nadal is all energy on the court and near impossible to wrong-foot. Despite making last year's Wimbledon final, which he lost to you-know-who, he's still pretty much a one-tracker and clay's lack of pace suits him down to the ground (tee hee).

Stamina and concentration

It is an unforgiving surface whichcalls on great reserves of stamina and concentration, and that's probably why its specialists don't last as long on the tour as their hardcourt (and grass) cousins.

For now though, it would take a brave man to bet against Nadal, a righty who plays lefty, making it a hat-trick at Roland Garros. Put a couple of francs down on him, my commission fee is a mere 10 per cent.

On the women's side, it's hard to see anyone troubling three-time champion, the wispy Justine Henin.

Amelie Mauresmo struggles before her home fans and Serena Williams is fighting injuries more than opponents nowadays. If they both turn up mentally and physically in shape they could rock Henin, but the Belgian's greatest threat should come from the lanky Russian No. 2 seed, Maria Shara-pova, who has power and a grunt to match it.

Still, I'm sticking with Nadal and Henin. Allez, allez!

tym.glaser@gleanerjm.com