French Open 2013: I’ll have to be at my best to beat Nadal, says Ferrer

David Ferrer admits he will need to produce his best tennis to have any chance of beating seven-time champion Rafael Nadal in the French Open final.

The Spaniard, playing in his 42nd Major, beat home favourite Jo-Wilfried Tsonga 6-1 7-2 (7-3) 6-2 to reach his first-ever Grand Slam final on Friday night.

And Ferrer, who last beat Nadal in the Australian Open quarter-finals in 2011, is relishing the chance to play “beautiful” tennis in the Roland Garros showpiece.

“The opportunity of my life is to make it to the final,” said Ferrer.

“I have already reached a final in the past, but there is still a lot for me to do.

“Defeating Rafa is very difficult on any surface; it’s even worse on clay.

“But once again, I’m going to try to play a beautiful match.”

Ferrer triumphed in straight sets against Nadal in their first-ever meeting on the clay courts of Stuttgart in 2004, with his compatriot aged just 18.

And the 31-year-old acknowledged he will have to play aggressive tennis in a bid to try and topple Nadal, who is aiming to become the first male player to win a Major eight times.

“Well it is very difficult to beat Rafael on all the surfaces, but on clay courts, it is more difficult,” Ferrer added.

“I need to play my best tennis if I want to beat him. I need to play very aggressive all the match, and to produce my best tennis.”