Spain's Rafael Nadal reacts shortly before defeating top-seeded Switzerland's Roger Federer during their semifinal match of the French Open June 3, 2005.

    BEIJING, June 4 -- Celebrating his 19th birthday with the match of his young life, Rafael Nadal won a showdown Friday against top-ranked Roger Federer 6-3, 4-6, 6-4, 6-3 to reach the final in his first French Open.

    Nadal avenged a loss to Federer at Key Biscayne two months ago and extended his winning streak to 23 matches, all on clay. The Spaniard became the youngest men's finalist at Roland Garros since Michael Chang, the champion in 1989 at age 17.

    Nadal's opponent Sunday will be unseeded Mariano Puerta, who advanced to his first Grand Slam final by winning the last four games and overtaking a weary Nikolay Davydenko 6-3, 5-7, 2-6, 6-4, 6-4.

    "I'm in paradise," said Puerta, a nine-year pro. "I'm the happiest man on earth right now."

    Puerta and Nadal will play the first all-lefty men's final at Roland Garros in the Open era.

    Nadal raced to an early lead against Federer and rallied from a 3-1 deficit in the final set. His ability to chase down shots made Federer indecisive and forced him into uncustomary unforced errors.

    The last, a forehand long to end an 18-shot rally, gave Nadal the victory. He fell onto his back and rose covered with the clay he loves.

    Puerta, an Argentine left-hander who has climbed to 37th in the rankings from 440th last August, struggled with his serve but kept Davydenko on the run throughout their 3-hour, 29-minute match. By the fourth set the Russian was occasionally bending over between points, hands on his knees, and he was unable to hold a 4-2 lead in the final set.

    Playing in his first major event since serving a nine-month drug suspension, Puerta gives Roland Garros an unseeded men's finalist for the third year in a row. Unseeded Argentine compatriot Gaston Gaudio won the title last year.

    Justine Henin-Hardenne bids for her fourth Grand Slam championship and her second at Roland Garros when she plays France's Mary Pierce in the women's final Saturday.

    The Davydenko-Puerta match started nearly 90 minutes late because of rain, and they then dueled mostly from the baseline, often in rallies lasting 10 shots or more.

    The slender, 12th-seeded Davydenko played exceptional defense, racing from side to side to dig balls out of the corners. And he served better, finishing with 11 aces and three double-faults to one ace and nine double-faults for Puerta.

    But the exhausted Russian couldn't hold a 4-2 lead in the final set.

    Puerta won four points in a row to break back in the next game. He hit two winners, including one on a rare trip to the net, to break again for a 5-4 lead, and twice won points when he kissed a line with a forehand in the final game.

    One last forehand winner gave Puerta the victory, and with a grin he raised a fist.

    "Today he played better," Davydenko said. "From the baseline he was better. Sometimes I make winners, but it was not enough to beat him."

    Puerta's suspension began in October 2003 after he tested positive for clenbuterol, a drug whose effects resemble those of anabolic steroids by promoting muscle growth. An investigative panel determined a doctor prescribed the drug to Puerta to treat asthma.

    (Source: CRIENGLISH.com)