PARIS, June 7: Bjorn Borg believes Roger Federer can beat triple champion Rafael Nadal in Sunday’s French Open final and cement his place as the greatest player of all time.

Borg won six Roland Garros titles, including four in succession from 1978-1981, a landmark which Nadal could equal if he defeats Federer for the third final in a row here.

While the Swedish legend believes that Nadal can go on to win at least eight French Open titles, he insisted on Saturday that the world number one can beat the Spaniard for what would be just the second time in nine claycourt meetings.

“If Roger wins on Sunday, he will definitely be the greatest to ever play the game,” said Borg.

“It will be tough for him but this is the best I have seen Roger play on a clay court in the past few years. He is slightly more patient than he used to be.

“He is more aggressive now and uses his forehand in a different way. He’s feeling more comfortable and confident on the clay. It will be a really open final.

“Either of them could win. It will be a long match and very close,” Borg added.

Nadal, who has never lost in 27 matches at Roland Garros, will become only the second man in history to win four successive French Opens if he wins on Sunday.

But the statistics are against him.

Federer, who needs a French Open to add to his 12 majors and complete a career Grand Slam, has lost 10 of his 16 career meetings with Nadal including eight of nine on clay.

Three of those losses have come here in the last three years including the 2006 and 2007 finals.

He has also looked decidedly undercooked at this year’s French Open, being taken to four sets in three matches while Nadal has cruised through to the final without dropping a set for the second successive year.

Despite his belief that Federer can pull off what would be a shock win, Borg is hugely impressed by what he has seen of Nadal.

The Spaniard has constantly shrugged off comparisons with Borg believing his 26 tour trophies pales when compared to the Swede’s six French Opens and 62 career titles.

“He’s playing better and better. It’s his best tennis compared to the last three years. He’s more confident and stronger. He is moving well and feeling the ball better and is stronger,” said Borg.

“With that sort of confidence you feel twice as big as the other guy on the other side of the net. He’s only 22. He can win seven or eight French Opens.

“But for me, to watch these guys, it’s like watching two artists.”—AFP