Nadal seeks grand slam record at French Open
After epic win over Djokovic, Spaniard aims to make history against compatriot Ferrer and size eighth French Open title
Rafael Nadal is happy to suffer if it allows him to become the first man to capture the same grand slam title eight times when he tackles Spanish compatriot David Ferrer in today's French Open final.
Nadal, who won the Roland Garros crown in 2012 for the seventh time to pull clear of Bjorn Borg's six titles, goes into his 17th grand slam final seeking a 12th major overall.
Ferrer, 31, Nadal's senior by four years, will be playing on this stage for the first time and will be handicapped by a 19-4 losing streak against his fellow Spaniard, 16 of those losses on clay.
But Nadal is taking nothing for granted and is prepared for another marathon encounter after his epic 6-4, 3-6, 6-1, 6-7 (3/7), 9-7 win over world No 1 Novak Djokovic.
"I learned during all of my career to enjoy suffering, and these kind of matches are very special. You don't have the chance to play these kinds of matches every day," Nadal said.
He had twice led top seed Djokovic by a set and a break but had to come back from 4-2 down in the decider to seal a place in his eighth Paris final, extending his record to 58 wins in 59 matches at the tournament in the process.