By DPA
Paris : Roger Federer set another record as he reached an eighth successive Grand Slam final on Friday after a 7-5, 7-6 (7-5), 7-6 (9-7) win over Nikolay Davydenko.
Only an upset in the day's second semi-final by Serb Novak Djokovic over two-time champion Rafael Nadal can prevent a repeat of last year's title match-up at Roland Garros.
The win was Federer's 27th straight at a Grand Slam match.
The Swiss recovered from a break down in each set to grind out a ninth straight win over the Russian.
"I played excellent when I had to," said the top seed. "It was a very tough match, a great battle, like expected, really.
"It was very physical, three hours for three sets. I felt good out on the court. And I'm so happy to be back in the finals of course."
Federer's win was stunning in its ferocity with the Swiss calling upon is huge reserve of shot-making brilliance to repeatedly get out of danger against the go-for-broke Russian fourth seed.
"The first set was key, instead of being down a double break (he trailed 2-5), I came back and broke him.
"That was just such a big moment that I was very happy. And that was basically the way it was going to be, too, in the second and third sets."
Federer was appearing in his 12th straight Grand Slam semi-final, with his eighth straight finals appearance moving him ahead of Australian Jack Crawford in that table.
"This is over a long time, this shows consistency," said the Swiss. "It always used to be the problem of my young career, consistency. Now, I'm, you know, the most consistent player.
"It's a great feeling being in all these big matches over and over again. And I love it. This is big, no doubt."
Davydenko was frustrated at ever turn, missing on 14 of his 17 break points and striking 53 unforced errors.
The Russian had his chances in the third set, with Federer saving a pair of set points in the ninth game and another in the concluding tiebreaker.
The Swiss master was able to bring out the best in his huge game almost at will in tight moments, firing 42 winners and breaking Davydenko four times out of 15 chances.
It marked his 26th victory at Roland Garros with the number one aiming to complete a matched set of Grand Slam trophies at the one major where he has failed to triumph.