“Of course my dream scenario is to beat Rafa here in the finals, but I’ve got to concentrate on my part of the draw and make sure I come through,” said Roger Federer after beating Tommy Haas on Monday.
The path to that elusive French Open title is somewhat clearer for Federer following Rafael Nadal’s surprise defeat to Robin Soderling, but even he admits it would be a hollow victory.
And let’s be honest, the Swiss is not wrong. Nadal has had a vice-like grip on Roland Garros for the best part of five years and it looked as if he would be the man who would prevent Federer from securing a Career Grand Slam.
That substantial obstacle has been removed from Federer’s path and he is now the overwhelming favourite to lift the crown.
There would be few who would object to Federer completing the set such is his standing in the game and the record books in the years ahead will see him in an elite group.
Only Fred Perry, Don Budge, Rod Laver, Roy Emerson and Andre Agassi have achieved the feat and Federer will be desperate to join that elite band, but even he will admit that something will be missing following the demise of his Roland Garros nemesis.