Paris (AFP)

Rafael Nadal, who qualified for his thirteenth final at Roland Garros without losing a single set despite difficult playing conditions, believes that "getting there has much more value" on Friday.

Q: What has changed since your duel in Rome?

A: "The scenario was different, and above all, I'm a little more prepared here. Rome was my first tournament in six months. I think I played well tactically, I'm very happy with this game. C 'is an important victory for me, against a formidable player. To beat Diego you have to work a lot, play well for a long time. I was solid, with good determination for most of the match, and especially in the game. decisive. I should have been a little more aggressive in the middle of the third set when I led, I had opportunities to finish earlier and not suffer like I suffered at the end. But to win that kind of matches, getting out of tough times by being aggressive on the forehand, knowing that I can do it gives me confidence. To believe that you can do this stuff you need to win matches, to go through those moments. It sure helps for the future. "

Q: Do you come to the final with the feel and shape you wanted?

A: "I'm in the final, I haven't lost a set, it would be quite arrogant to say something else. Of course, even though I got to the final without losing a set, there were other Roland- Garros in which I felt more sure of myself, in which I had better feelings in terms of play. But, I said it from the first day, the conditions are not perfect for my style of play nor for the the way I hit the ball, so to get there, internally it has even more value. I knew how to look for solutions day after day to be competitive, and I really had the right attitude all the time. I'm here because of that. I'm very satisfied with it. I'll keep fighting. Today (Friday) was my best game of the tournament without a doubt. And what I need is is to play my best Sunday. Of course it's a dream to be able to be in the final at Roland Garros again, and even more so in a year as complicated as this

This is how we live. "

Q: At stake, there is not only a thirteenth Roland-Garros, but also the possibility for you to equal Roger Federer's record of twenty Grand Slams ...

R: "I understand all that, and it's good for tennis that we talk about it, but my reality is that I am playing Roland-Garros. All that, we'll talk about at the end. . But for me, there, the only thing that matters is that I am playing the most important tournament of the season for me, I am in the final, and that is what keeps me busy and Everything else takes a back seat for me, as it always has been. My goal when I come here has always been to win Roland-Garros, beyond overtaking (Björn) Borg or a other, or to win ten. Internally, what has always motivated me is Roland-Garros in itself, and this year is no exception. "

Interview at a press conference.

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