Henman on Federer v Nadal

By Tim Henman
Former British number one

We have got the Wimbledon men's singles final everyone wanted to see in five-time champion Roger Federer against French Open winner Rafael Nadal.

Nadal's game plan needs to be to bully Federer Tim Henman

The improvements Nadal has made to his game since his defeat to Federer in last year's final have been phenomenal.

I think he is serving bigger and getting the ball to swing a lot more, but his backhand has perhaps improved the most.

He's much more offensive with it, and he's hitting it cross-court and down the line extremely well.

Even when it seems he is in a defensive position, he generates so much power that he is winning point after point.

If it's possible, he is actually hitting the ball harder and more consistently from the baseline and that's backed up so well by his movement that it's so hard to get him out of position.

He also looks more comfortable on grass this year. Before I thought he looked a little mechanical, but now his service motion is more fluent and when someone has good rhythm there's a good chance everything's going to work a lot better.

Nadal's game plan needs to be to bully Federer, give him no time to play his shots and look to outmuscle him.

As far as Federer is concerned, if he is to beat Nadal he needs to start with his serving and look to dominate in the rallies.

I think Federer has used recent criticism of his form as a bit of a motivational factor Tim Henman

I think we can expect to see him come into the net a little bit more after his serve and try to finish more points at the net.

For me the most important aspect is that Federer has been serving phenomenally well throughout the whole tournament.

He doesn't need to serve a lot of aces against Nadal, but it's very important that he is on the offensive if the return does comes back.

The longer the rallies go, the more that will play into Nadal's hands. If he can maintain a high level of serving then it gives him a good chance.

He hasn't dropped a set so far and he's played some unbelievable tennis.

I think he has used recent criticism of his form as a bit of a motivational factor as if to say, 'who are these people to doubt me? Especially on a grass court?'

I don't personally think there is a hangover from the thrashing Nadal gave him in the French Open final but only time will tell.

He didn't drop his serve in Halle and he is through to the final of Wimbledon without dropping a set. That's pretty tough to beat.

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It's not easy to forget a defeat like the one at Roland Garros in a hurry, but the best way to do it is to get out on the court and get some wins under your belt and that's exactly what Federer has done.

I don't really think he can feel any better about his game than he does right now. He has been flawless.

I think it adds to the whole drama and script of Sunday.

Many people have said that they are the best 'top two' tennis has ever seen. It's very difficult to compare eras, but I think you might struggle to better these players.

The way they play is a credit to our sport.

If I really had to predict the outcome, I think Federer is going to win in four sets but I wouldn't put a lot on it.

Tim Henman was talking to Paul Birch