French Open: Finals

On the men's side, it is deja vu all over again, on the women's side we have the soon-to-be new no. 1 going against one of the most unlikely major finalists in many many years.

1) Novak Djokovic (SRB) vs. 2) Rafael Nadal (ESP)

2) Maria Sharapova (RUS) vs. 21) Sara Errani (ITA)

Djokovic and Nadal now meet for the fourth consecutive major final.  Both players won in straight sets in the semi matches against Federer and Ferrer, respectively.  Nadal is yet to drop a set at this tournament.  Nadal must win the championship to stay at no. 2 in the world.  Djokovic is going for the career grand slam and his 4th consecutive major title while Nadal is going for a record 7th French Open title.  Nadal leads the head-to-head 18-14 with full details here, and he is 11-2 on clay.  They met 3 consecutive years at the French Open ('06-'08), Nadal winning all three matches without dropping a set.

Djokovic - 8th major final (1st at the FO), 5-2 record, 4th consecutive F
Nadal - 16th major final (7th at the FO), 10-5 record, 5th consecutive F

I'm going with Nadal to win this one, relatively easily in straight sets with one tight set.

Sharapova and Errani will play for the first time ever on clay's grandest stage.  Sharapova relatively easily pushed aside Kvitova while Errani outlasted Stosur 6-3 in the 3rd.  Sharapova is going for the career grand slam (with one title at each major) and will be the world no. 1.  I am far more surprised by Errani's appearance in this final than I was with Schiavone in '10.  This is the most surprising finalist I've seen since I started following tennis more closely in late '08.  Errani is up to no. 10 in the world regardless of the outcome tomorrow and will be the highest ranked Italian.

Sharapova - 7th major final (1st at the FO), 3-3 record, 2nd consecutive F
Errani - 1st major final

Errani did have the 16-match clay winning streak earlier this year, but I expect Sharapova to cruise to this title in a pair of routine looking sets.