Nadal, Federer ready for rematch of the year

The defending champion is favored against the rising Spaniard.
WIMBLEDON, England (AP) -- Celebrating a set-clinching shot during his remarkable run to the Wimbledon final, Rafael Nadal punched the air and dashed to his chair, fist leading the way.
That's the way he plays, and woe to those in his path. Showing he's more than a mere king of clay, the precocious, pugnacious Spaniard has found his way across the All England Club's treacherous lawns to another showdown against Roger Federer.
Their final four weeks ago at the French Open was billed as the match of the year, which makes today's final the rematch of the year. It's a rarity: The last time Roland Garros and Wimbledon had the same men's finalists was in 1952.
"It's nice for the fans," Nadal said. "You can think, 'This time Roger's going to win. This time Rafa's going to win.' That's good for tennis, no?"
The stakes were considerable in Paris, with Federer bidding to win his fourth consecutive major championship and complete a career Grand Slam. Instead, Nadal earned his second successive French Open title.
Supremacy at stake
Now, regal Roger's supremacy is in jeopardy. He's bidding for his eighth Grand Slam title, and some current and former players say he has a chance to be remembered as the best player ever. But with a loss, he can't even claim to be the best player in 2006.
Federer is 0-4 this year against Nadal and 55-0 against everyone else.
"It's not normal to win four consecutive times against one man when he loses just four matches in the year," Nadal said.
Still, the setting -- Centre Court's hallowed lawn -- makes Federer the favorite. His last loss there came four years ago.
"This is my favorite surface; that obviously changes things a little bit," Federer said. "I don't have many bad records against players. This is one.
"But I don't think I have been affected by him beating me, because I know it has been very close all the time. When I played him, I didn't feel like I played bad. That, for me, is very important to know heading into a final."
Federer is trying to join Pete Sampras and Bjorn Borg as the only men since 1913 to win four consecutive Wimbledon titles. He has an Open-era record 47 consecutive grass-court victories, including 27 in a row at the All England Club.
Last week he began wearing a custom-made cream blazer on and off the court, and it befits his stylish play. Despite a difficult draw, he has won all 18 sets over the past two weeks, and he lost only four games to Jonas Bjorkman in the most lopsided men's semifinal in tournament history.
"I never really reached a final of any Grand Slam as easy as this Wimbledon," he said, "so I hope I can finish it off in style."
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