Here we go again. Roger Federer has a third shot at Rafael Nadal to complete the career grand slam in today’s men’s French Open final at Roland Garros in Paris.

So, can the 26 year-old 12-time slam winner finally get the better of the three-time defending 22 year-old Spaniard on the clay? We’ll know later on when the best tennis rivalry is renewed when No.1 takes on No.2 for all the marbles.

For the Swiss world No.1, Nadal has been his toughest foe keeping him from becoming the sixth man to win all four majors. The past couple of years, Roger only got a set off Rafa losing in four both instances. What was discouraging though the second time around is that he really was never in the match as the powerful Spaniard dominated play to win on the red surface for a third straight time.

With Nadal aiming for a bit of history of his own attempting to four-peat in Paris for the first time since tennis legend Bjorn Borg, he has been in unbelievable form dominating opponents more than ever not dropping a set entering another final at Philippe Chatrier. In fact, before his semifinal straight set win over No.3 ranked Serb Novak Djokovic, he had dropped only 25 total games.

Even with a rematch from a year ago and the No.2 world ranking on the line, Nadal took the play to his 21 year-old opponent who won his first slam in Australia earlier this year. Rafa ousted him 6-4, 6-2, 7-6 (3). Following the match, Djokovic was disappointed in his performance the first couple of sets. Even though he stepped it up coming back to force a breaker, it wasn’t enough against the champion.

While Nadal has made quick work of his opponents, Federer has had a more methodical approach dropping three sets in three of his victories before pulling them out in four including his quarterfinal unseeded opponent, Frenchman Gael Monfils. They split the first two sets before the No.1 seeded player captured the final couple to prevail 6-2, 5-7, 6-3, 7-5 advancing to a third consecutive French Open championship date against his No.1 rival.

Federer still trails American legend Pete Sampras by two for the men’s grand slam singles record of 14. He’ll need to be at his absolute pinnacle to get the better of Nadal at a place where he hasn’t lost in 27 matches. That’s right. One more triumph and it will be a remarkable 28-for-28.

Last year at Wimbledon, we saw Roger make history needing five sets before beating Nadal to win a fifth straight time on the grass with Borg also in attendance to see it happen. Now, the former Swede 11-time slam champion will be watching with rooting interest to see if the younger player can match him on the clay at Roland Garros.

It sets up to be another intriguing final with plenty of suspense. Hopefully, the build up will live up to it when they take the court at 9 AM on NBC.

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