Nadal v Federer rivalry proves to be burning issue

PARIS, May 29 (Reuters) One hundred and twenty eight of the world's fittest men started the French Open with dreams of lifting the Musketeers Cup on June 10.

Less than three days into the claycourt grand slam, it seems that 126 of those competitors are merely there to make up the numbers, leaving Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal in hot pursuit of the title.

''What is your reaction to ... Federer and Nadal in this tournament?'' was the first question that greeted fourth seed Nikolay Davydenko after he booked a second-round berth.

Startled by the abruptness of the query, Davydenko replied ''We just started the tournament. You talk about a Federer and Nadal (final) but it's just the first round.'' While Davydenko may have been reluctant to count himself out of the running, there is only one final the fans want to see -- a repeat of last year's showdown between Nadal and world number one Federer.

The Swiss has won every grand slam title except the French Open, defending champion Nadal has won nothing else.

Between the two they have stacked up the last eight majors.

Federer is undoubtedly the most complete all-round player around but on clay, where endurance rather than finesse is a key requirement, he is still cast in the role of pretender.

The levelling effect of tennis's most taxing surface means Roland Garros provides the perfect platform for the Spaniard and the Swiss to continue their duel for supremacy.

TOUGH CALL ''Obviously they're the favourites... nobody even can come close to beating them on clay,'' said 2005 Australian Open champion Marat Safin, who was the last man to win a major before Federer and Nadal slammed the door shut on their opponents at the slams.

''It's a tough call, who's going to win this year, Roger or Nadal. Because Roger beat him 6-0 in the third (set) in Hamburg, it looks like he's finally found how to play against Rafa.'' Federer's success at the Hamburg Masters gave him a first victory over the Spaniard in six claycourt meetings and also snapped Nadal's 81-match winning streak on red dirt.

Federer himself thought it was a little premature to discount the other rivals in the field.

''I've had great challenges over the years, with Lleyton (Hewitt), (Andy) Roddick, Safin, (David) Nalbandian and now Nadal,'' the top seed said after recording a 6-4 6-2 6-4 first-round win over American Michael Russell today.

''We're the only guys who have been winning grand slams the last couple of years, so obviously there's much talk about our rivalry right now. But I think there's many other players.'' REUTERS BJR KN2114