ROGER Federer is determined the weight of history won't become a burden this weekend.
Federer is seeking a record sixth consecutive Wimbledon victory after booking his final date with a straight sets win over former world number one Marat Safin.
Rafael Nadal, who is looking to end his rival's 65-match unbeaten streak on grass, now
lies in wait.
And he is also looking for a place in the record books, by becoming the first man since Bjorn Borg in 1980 to win both the French Open and Wimbledon in the same year.
"Don't write me off too quickly yet – this is my part of the season," said Federer, who took just four games off Nadal when they last clashed in the final at Roland Garros.
"Rafa is playing really well but I'm feeling very confident as well.
"It's a beautiful feeling reaching the final and giving yourself a chance to win here. I'm really happy with how I'm playing, I haven't dropped serve in my last two games and that's a really good platform.
"Obviously the gap between us here is getting closer, Rafa is getting better and better on grass and that will make for an exciting final."
Federer saw off the challenge of the unpredictable Safin 6-3, 7-6, 6-4, taking just over 90 rapid-fire minutes.
But Nadal – who brushed aside the challenge of Britain's Andy Murray in the quarters – is looking increasingly confident on a surface that doesn't suit his powerful baseline game.
He lost in straight sets to Federer in the 2006 final and took him four sets last year. Slowly and surely, he's cracking the veneer of invincibility that Federer has enjoyed here since 2003.
"I'm just so happy to be back in the final," said Nadal after a 6-1, 7-6, 6-4 win over Rainer Schuettler.
"I have to play my best tennis on Sunday – there is no other way.
"This wasn't my best match here but I won in three sets, so I'm playing Roger with lots of confidence and you can't win against him without that. He's the best in the world on grass. I have to play very well to stand a chance but I feel I've got a better opportunity than I've ever had."
Meanwhile, John McEnroe says Andy Murray should team up with brother Jamie to improve his game.
Elder brother Jamie has focussed on doubles and partners Max Mirnyi on the ATP Tour but the Scottish siblings have paired up together in the Davis Cup.
And McEnroe, who regularly played doubles with his brother Patrick said: "Most of the top singles guys tend to ignore doubles these days. In my view that's a mistake and I think Andy would really benefit from it."
• NATIONAL School Sport Week, which started on June 30, is a Government initiative managed by the Youth Sport Trust and supported by Norwich Union which aims to engage over three million children in sport.
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