• ATP Tour

Federer claims he is Nadal's master

Roger Federer claims he is the dominant force in tennis' great rivalry © PA Photos

Enlarge

Related Links

• What the Deuce: Dirt fighter Nadal shows his tough side
  
• News: Nadal 'honoured' to match Borg's record
  
• News: Nadal fends off Federer to claim sixth French Open title
  
• Profile: Roger Federer | Rafael Nadal

Despite losing to Rafael Nadal for the 17th time from 25 meetings, French Open runner-up Roger Federer is convinced the outcome of their matches hinges on his play rather than that of his great rival.

After battening down the hatches in the face of a rampant start from Federer, Nadal dug in before claiming an ultimately comfortable four-set success. Nadal was winning the French Open for a sixth time, equalling Bjorn Borg's record, and is now just six behind Federer's career grand slam record of 16.

Nadal's head-to-head record against Federer is stunning. The Spaniard has lost just two of the eight occasions they have met in grand slam finals, both being at Wimbledon, but Federer insists the outcome of their meetings hinges on how well he plays.

"It's always me who's going to dictate play and decide how the outcome is going to be," Federer said following Nadal's 7-5 7-6(3) 5-7 6-1 victory at Roland Garros. "If I play well, I will most likely win; if I'm not playing so well, that's when he wins."

There were times in the match when Federer had Nadal on a string, but the Spaniard's refusal to give ground won through. The pair will renew rivalries on the grass of Wimbledon and Federer will take confidence into SW19.

"I'm feeling better physically than I have in a long time, so that's been very positive," Federer said. "After this sort of tough weekend I feel really good, so that's been positive, too.

"That's obviously the huge priority right now, to win Wimbledon in a few weeks' time. That's always, for me, the sort of No. 1 goal of the season."

Nadal's win ensures he will be guaranteed to start Wimbledon as world No. 1, while Li Na has been rewarded for her Roland Garros victory with a rise in the rankings to No. 4.

ATP Tour Rankings
1. Rafael Nadal (ESP), 2. Novak Djokovic (SRB), 3. Roger Federer (SUI), 4. Andy Murray (GBR), 5. Robin Soderling (SWE), 6. David Ferrer (ESP), 7. Tomas Berdych (CZE), 8. Gael Monfils (FRA), 9. Mardy Fish (USA), 10. Andy Roddick (USA)

WTA Tour Rankings
1. Caroline Wozniacki (DEN), 2. Kim Clijsters (BEL), 3. Vera Zvonareva (RUS), 4. Li Na (CHN), 5. Victoria Azarenka (BLR), 6. Maria Sharapova (RUS), 7. Francesca Schiavone (ITA), 8. Petra Kvitova (CZE) 9. Marion Bartoli (FRA) 10. Sam Stosur (AUS)

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.