Ruthless Nadal sets up title showdown with Puerta

Rafael Nadal celebrated his 19th birthday in style by taming world number one Roger Federer 6-3 4-6 6-4 6-3 yesterday to reach the French Open final.

The Spanish prodigy, trying to become the first man to win Roland Garros on debut since Swede Mats Wilander in 1982, won a superb battle to set up a title showdown with Argentina's Mariano Puerta.

Top seed Federer, who was hoping to capture the only grand slam crown to have eluded him, bowed out by hitting a forehand long on the first match point after two hours and 47 minutes.

Fourth seed Nadal extended his winning streak on clay to 23 matches and will be the overwhelming favourite to take the title when he faces Puerta in tomorrow's final.

The unseeded Puerta wore down Russian Nikolay Davydenko 6-3 5-7 2-6 6-4 6-4 earlier in the day.

"I can't really believe this, that I'm in the final of a grand slam," Puerta, who found himself in the tennis wilderness after being banned for nine months in 2003 for doping, said.

"I've sacrificed a lot and overcame many obstacles. This is even more incredible when you think what has happened to me."

Ticket holders on Centre Court were eagerly awaiting the second semi-final but they had to sit patiently as Puerta and Davydenko became embroiled in a war of attrition. The left-handed Puerta muscled his way through the first set after a 90-minute rain delay and looked capable of overpowering the slender Davydenko.

However the Russian, who beat last year's runner-up Guillermo Coria, also from Argentina, in the fourth round, found his range in the windy conditions to seize the initiative.

Puerta found himself on the defensive as Davydenko came up with some punishing angles off both wings and the Russian moved into a two sets to one lead.

However, the 26-year-old Argentine found a new lease of life in the fourth set to set up a decider.

With both players slugging relentlessly it was Puerta who wobbled first, sending a tired-looking forehand over the baseline to trail 4-2.

The Argentine refused to flinch, however, summoning all his reserves as Davydenko's resistance crumbled.

Puerta crunched an unplayable forehand down the line to end the contest after three hours 29 minutes.

It is the third year running that an unseeded player has reached the men's final at Roland Garros, following on from last year's champion Gaston Gaudio and Dutchman Martin Verkerk, who was beaten in the 2003 final.

Mixed doubles final: Hantuchova/Santoro bt Navratilova/Paes 3-6 6-3 6-2.

Playing today: (women's final) Henin-Hardenne vs Pierce.