Thu Jun 5 13:06:39 2008

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Federer, Nadal, Djokovic ready for Friday SF action at RG

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Paris, France (Sports Network) - The men's finalists for the 2008 French Open will be decided here on Friday, when top-seeded Roger Federer meets unseeded Frenchman Gael Monfils and second-seeded Rafael Nadal takes on third- seeded Novak Djokovic.

The two-time runner-up Federer will play in his fourth straight French Open semifinal, while his Day-13 opponent, the 6-foot-4 Monfils, will compete in his first-ever major semi.

The 26-year-old Swiss Federer is 3-0 all-time against the 21-year-old Monfils, including a 2-0 mark this season.

The world No. 1 Federer is a 12-time major titlist who still needs the French Open to complete a career Grand Slam. The reigning five-time Wimbledon and four-time U.S. Open champion will play in a record 16th straight major semifinal.

Friday's marquee semi, however, will be Nadal-Djokovic.

Nadal is the reigning three-time French Open champ, while Djokovic is the reigning Australian Open titlist and last year's U.S. Open runner-up to Federer.

The 22-year-old Nadal is 7-3 lifetime against the 21-year-old Djokovic, including a 2-0 record here at Roland Garros and a 4-0 overall mark on red clay. The Spaniard beat the Serb in the quarterfinals here in 2006 and topped him in the semis last year.

The gritty Nadal and smooth Djokovic have split a pair of matches this season, with the Serb taking a semifinal matchup at Indian Wells and Nadal claiming a semifinal victory on the dirt in Hamburg.

Nadal, who has yet to drop a set at this '08 fortnight, is trying to become only the second player to win four straight French Open crowns in the Open Era. The legendary six-time champion Bjorn Borg turned the trick from 1978-81.

Nadal has never lost in the main draw here, as he's a perfect 26-0 at Roland Garros. He's 113-2 on his beloved clay overall since 2005, including victories over Federer in the last two French Open finales.

Djokovic will play in his fifth straight Grand Slam semifinal, and if he beats Nadal he'll become the new No. 2 player in the world.

Friday's winners will square off in the final here on Sunday, with the eventual champion taking home just over $1.55 million.