Novak Djokovic will today attempt to become only the second man to beat eight-time champion Rafael Nadal at Roland Garros when the world's two best players meet in the French Open final.
Djokovic, who has six majors to his name, needs a Paris trophy to become just the eighth man in history to have won all four Grand Slam events.
He also has the advantage of having defeated Nadal in their last four meetings, including on clay in the Rome Masters final last month.
Djokovic was defeated by Nadal in the 2012 final in Paris but came desperately close to beating him in the semi-finals in 2013 when he led 4-2 in the final set.
The 27-year-old Serb, who is playing in his 13th Grand Slam final compared to Nadal's 20th, believes the key to victory is to take the Spaniard out of his comfort zone on the Philippe Chatrier court where he has only lost once, a fourth round exit to Robin Soderling in 2009.
"It's a very wide and very big court. He likes to have that visual effect, as well, because it appears that he gets every ball back," said Djokovic.
"He feels more comfortable when he plays on the bigger court. That's one of the reasons why he's so successful here.
"But we played some really close and good matches, good quality matches the last two years here, especially the one last year serving at 4-3 in the fifth set to go 5-3. It was a very close one.
"And knowing that I was that close to win against him the past two years gives me that reason to believe that I can make it this time. He's not unbeatable."
- Momentum with Nadal -
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The momentum, however, appears to be with Nadal who allowed Wimbledon champion Andy Murray just six games in a brutal semi-final demolition on Friday.
"It's nothing new for Novak to be in the final here. He has the motivation to win Roland Garros for the first time for sure," said Nadal who has won their last three Grand Slam meetings and all four of their previous encounters at Roland Garros.
