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Federer faces Nadal in revenge bid
 Federer will hope to set the record straight in the final against Nadal DUBAI, United Arab Emirates -- Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, the top two in the world, will clash for the first time since the French Open semifinals in the Dubai Open final on Saturday. Spain's Nadal, who won the Paris clash in four sets before lifting his first grand slam crown, beat Rainer Schuettler of Germany 6-4 6-2 while Federer eased past Mikhail Youzhny of Russia 6-2 6-3. Swiss world number one Federer has won both his tournaments this year, including the Australian Open. Nadal, who won 11 titles last year, is playing only his second tournament since recovering from a career-threatening foot injury. Although the score suggests Federer's win over Youzhny was straightforward, it was a strangely inconsistent first set performance from the Swiss. He fell behind in his first four service games and said: "I thought I maybe missed quite a few first serves early in the games that really allowed him to get his teeth into every service game in the beginning. "But I served my way out of trouble, and played my way out of trouble. In the second set I played great tennis and I thought overall it was an excellent match." Federer had to fight off four break points in the opening game and although he broke to lead 2-0 when Youzhny netted a weak backhand, Federer faced another three break points in the next game. He also fell behind 0-30 in his remaining two service games of the set but often followed up by playing sublime tennis to pull himself out of trouble. After holding off an eighth break point when leading 4-2, Federer broke again for the set when Youzhny made a forehand error. The second set was more comfortable for Federer as he raised his game and often ended rallies by changing the pace and forcing errors from his opponent. The outcome of the set still hinged on just one break of serve. That came in the seven-deuce second game after Youzhny failed to win any of five game points and then double-faulted on break point. "He had many chances early on to take the lead or get back at me, and it's hard really when you start off like he did (and get nothing) to really stay positive out there," added Federer. "He knows I'm going to probably pick up my game eventually and he's not going to have so many chances anymore." 
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