Defending champion Rafael Nadal set up potentially the greatest final in French Open history when he defeated Croatian fourth seed Ivan Ljubicic 6-4 6-2 7-6 today.
The Spanish second seed will defend his crown against world number one Roger Federer on Sunday. It will be the first time since 1984 that a Roland Garros final will feature the top two seeds.
Nadal extended his perfect Roland Garros record to 13-0 and stretched his winning streak on clay to 59 matches.
Nadal broke twice in each of the first two sets to sit on a comfortable cushion but was challenged in the third, being forced to a tiebreak he won 9-7 on his third match point after two hours and 49 minutes.
Earlier today Federer reached his first French Open final after David Nalbandian quit while trailing 3-6 6-4 5-2 in their semi-final.
Nalbandian called a medical timeout during the third set and, apparently feeling unwell, informed the umpire that he could not continue after losing serve to trail 5-2 in the third set. Earlier the third seed had led by a set and 3-0 before Federer recovered.
"It's very tough, we were playing well, we were fighting," said Federer. "He played very well during the first set, I thought I was going to lose. Something needed to change."
Nalbandian's retirement was the ninth such withdrawal from the men's singles on the energy-sapping clay at Roland Garros.
It also curtailed what had developed into a scintillating match on a bright, breezy centre court.
Nalbandian has less reason than most to fear Federer. Before Friday he led their head-to-head 6-5 and beat the Swiss in the final of last year's Masters Cup.
The Argentine is built like a tank and he went after Federer's serve from the start.
