Rafael Nadal has mixed feelings about Roger Federer's French Open ouster as he faces up to being the overwhelming favourite for his fifth Roland Garros title. Second seed Nadal accepts the absence of Federer makes his task easier but he also empathises with the Swiss, who he feels may be the only other player to feel the pain of defeat as keenly as he himself does. "The truth is I always love to see the best players win, because I know that the losses for the best players are harder than for the rest," said Nadal, who suffered his first ever defeat at Roland Garros last year. Nadal's title odds shortened further last night when third seed Novak Djokovic threw away a two-set lead to lose a marathon match against Jurgen Melzer, who will now face the the Spaniard in tomorrow's semi-finals. Nadal has won both his previous meetings with Melzer in straight sets but knows the 29-year-old is in the form of his life, having also disposed of David Ferrer. "He's playing unbelievably," said Nadal. "I saw him play Ferrer. A big comeback against Djokovic. I saw him at the end of the match playing very aggressively, serving well. "If he's in the semi-finals, it is because he's the best of his draw."

Rafael Nadal has mixed feelings about Roger Federer's French Open ouster as he faces up to being the overwhelming favourite for his fifth Roland Garros title.

Melzer is playing unbelievably: Nadal

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Melzer is playing unbelievably: Nadal

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