2006 Final against Roger Federer
Already a title defender in his second appearance at Roland Garros, Rafael Nadal was seeded second at the French Open that year. Federer had only dropped a single set en route to the finals, and had already won the previous 3 consecutive Grand Slams. The Swiss was looking to be the first man since Australian legend Rod Laver in 1969 to hold all four Grand Slam titles at once, and given his prowess and form in 2006, was widely expected to win.
The reigning champion at every other Slam, Federer was looking to avenge his 2005 defeat, and did in fact get onto a positive start, decimating Nadal in the first set 6-1. Initially caught on the back foot, Nadal returned the favour immediately in the next set, winning the next two sets.
Despite being taxed by Federer in the final set, which went to a tiebreak, Nadal recovered to win 1-6, 6-1, 6-4, 7-6 and successfully defend his French Open title – the second grand slam of his career.
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