Rafael Nadal faces Dominic Thiem in the final of the French Open – Preview

It's "almost impossible" to beat Rafael Nadal at Roland Garros and Dominic Thiem "can not wait" to prevent him from winning a twelfth title on Sunday, said former British number one Greg Rusedski.

Second-seeded Spanish Nadal, 33, will play Austria's fourth-seeded Thiem at 14:00 local time, repeating the final of last year.

"It's time for Thiem to participate in the biggest men's tennis test on this surface," Rusedski told BBC Sport.

Thiem is looking for his first Grand Slam title, while Nadal continues his 18th.

The Spaniard can become the first player to win 12 singles titles in a Grand Slam.

"Rafa is almost impossible to beat in the five-set format on clay," added former US Open finalist Rusedski.

"The start is huge for Thiem – if he can get one of the first two sets – especially the first – then he has a chance."

"If Rafa puts on a set earlier than expected, all the pressure goes on Thiem and Rafa relaxes.

"Thiem has to sneak into the first set and make a brilliant start, so that would be very exciting."

& # 39; Apparent heir & # 39; Thiem aiming revenge

Thiem reached his first Grand Slam final at Roland Garros last year, but was outclbaded in a 6-4 6-3 6-2 defeat by Nadal on court Philippe Chatrier.

At the age of 25, the 25-year-old now has the opportunity to repair the burden of this defeat when he returns to Roland Garros, one of the new reconstructed playgrounds.

The world number four beat Nadal in three sets on European clay swing over the last three years, including a 6-4 to 6-4 win in the semifinals of the Barcelona Open in April.

Nadal is leading his record 8-4, but Thiem is one of the few players to have beaten the 17 times major winner on clay several times.

"He's the obvious heir that everyone has talked about, but beating the maestro is a different thing." Said Rusedski.

"The wait is not Thiem but he has to do a lot better than last year's final.

"He has to throw this match behind him and remember the match in Barcelona where he destroyed Nadal."

How can Thiem get in trouble with Nadal?

Thiem won his first Masters 1000 title – the level of ATP tournaments below the Grand Slam – by defeating Roger Federer at Indian Wells earlier this year and Rusedski thinks the Austrian is way better than when he first met Nadal. 12 months.

"He added the slick reverse, he's playing a little closer to the baseline, he's ready to make the transition forward while using the shot on goal," Rusedski said.

"So with that extra variety, his strength and power behind the baseline, he has a chance.

"I think he also needs to change the variety of his service to keep Rafa out of balance, as well as to make the transition and have him come sometimes."

"Physically, he must also stand up to Rafa.It is something that is mentally and physically demanding.

"Rafa gives you nothing, he is the most frugal man on a tennis court I've ever seen.He will play the old tactic that he does all the time against Roger Federer, serve in this setback by trying to break it up and then fast in the right corner. "

Will Nadal benefit from 24 hours overtime?

Thiem is the first Austrian to reach two Grand Slam singles finals after beating Serbian seed Novak Djokovic in a five-set battle over two days.

Their semifinal was canceled Friday because of the expected rain and strong winds, which means that Thiem did not win before Saturday afternoon.

Nadal finished his semi-final against Swiss Roger Federer in two sets 24 hours earlier.

"For Rafa, everything worked out to the extent that he did it on Friday," Rusedski added.

"He arrived Saturday and had a 45-minute success while Thiem played against Djokovic.

"He had the perfect preparation and entered as a favorite."