Agassi, Courier back Nadal to beat Federer in Paris

Updated on: 05 June,2011 07:24 AM IST |
AFP |

Former Roland Garros champions Andre Agassi and Jim Courier both backed Rafael Nadal to sweep past Roger Federer today and clinch a record-equalling sixth French Open

Former Roland Garros champions Andre Agassi and Jim Courier both backed Rafael Nadal to sweep past Roger Federer today and clinch a record-equalling sixth French Open.

"Nadal is the favourite because he is more comfortable in his meetings with Federer. He is playing his sixth final, he will be at ease," said Agassi, the champion in 1999.

Andre Agassi

Memorable
"Every time you see Nadal and Federer face each other, it's a memorable moment. It's one of the most incredible rivalries that our sport has ever had."

Fellow American Courier, the back-to-back winner in Paris in 1991 and 1992, also favours the Spanish world number one. "Rafa is the favourite for sure. It's his favourite surface. But it might rain on Sunday and that will be good for Roger, the balls will be a lot slower," said US Davis Cup captain Courier.

"The key to the match will not be the tactics but the execution."

Courier said Nadal was similar to Bjorn Borg whose record of six French Open titles the Spaniard can match with victory on Sunday. "When Borg played, it wasn't a question of knowing if he was going to win but how much he would let his opponent play. Rafa is in the same mould.