PARIS (By Juliet Macur, NYTimes) June 11, 2007 — While Rafael Nadal celebrated his third consecutive French Open title, smothered with hugs by family and friends in the stands, Roger Federer sat in his courtside chair, silent and expressionless.

Yet again, for the third year in a row, Nadal had beaten Federer at the French Open. On Sunday, he won, 6-3, 4-6, 6-3, 6-4. Yet again, it was Nadal who got in the way of Federer holding four Grand Slam titles at the same time, a feat last accomplished by Rod Laver in 1969.

Nadal beat Federer in the finals last year. In 2005, he knocked him out of the semifinals.

“I feel a little sad and disappointed,” Federer said on the court afterward.

Federer, the world’s No. 1 player, has won 10 Grand Slam titles, but none at the French Open. While Federer seems to constantly set records and win championships at every other big event, this terra cotta-colored clay at Roland Garros is Nadal’s and Nadal’s alone.

And, on a sunny Sunday in Paris, Nadal reveled in it.

Nadal hit his final point, threw his racket and collapsed onto that clay that has been so good to him. He remained there for a moment, eyes squeezed shut, while the reality of the moment swept over him.

Later, when he addressed the crowd, Nadal bit his lip, holding back tears as he thanked the public for its support. “It’s a dream to win three in a row,” he said.

“I am very happy,” he said. “But I am really sad for Roger. He is a friend and I know he is a great champion, whether he wins or loses.”

Nadal, the world’s No. 2-ranked player, had beaten the world’s No. 1 to become the only the second man 93 years to win three consecutive singles titles at the French Open. Bjorn Borg also accomplished that feat, winning four in a row from 1978 to 1981.

Nadal, 21, also improved his record to 21-0 at Roland Garros, though he did lose his first set of the tournament. It did not seem to rattle him, though, even when Federer pushed the issue and tried to do so, particularly during Nadal’s service games.

On Sunday, Nadal saved 10 break points in the first set, and 16 of 17 break points in the match. Still, Federer had spurts of brilliance, but could not sustain his genius.

“He’s a different type of player, the kind of guy that wears you out and wears you down,” Federer, 25, said of Nadal.

Federer said he had plenty of opportunities to come back in the match, but squandered them. He also made more unforced errors than usual. He had 59, while Nadal had 27.

“I was just disappointed that I couldn’t turn it around,” Federer said. “Against other guys, I can do that, but not against him.”

Unlike the rest of the matches on Court Philippe Chatrier for the past two weeks, nearly every seat was filled for this match, the most anticipated matchup at this French Open. The fans showed up in their straw hats and visors, furiously fanning themselves in the summer sun.

It was also the match the two had been waiting for since the tournament began, particularly Federer. He had come to this tournament on a high after beating Nadal on clay last month in Hamburg, Germany. He had previously lost five matches in a row to the Spaniard on clay and, without a coach, he beat Nadal in straight sets and allowed Nadal to win only four games.

Now Federer remains one of the best tennis players in history, who still cannot win at Roland Garros. He is in good company. Pete Sampras, Jimmy Connors, Stefan Edberg and Boris Becker also never won a singles title at Roland Garros.

“I think he has to win here to be considered one of the best ever,” McEnroe said. “It’s just something he’s got to do. But against Nadal, it’s going to be tough.”

In this final, Federer was going up against Nadal at his best. Nadal showed up unshaven, looking intimidating. His forehands seemed to be magnetized to the court’s white lines as he hit winner after winner that Federer could just not get to. While Federer tired, Nadal seemed to be gaining energy.

At the end, Nadal needed it. He used the remaining strength to lift the winner’s trophy.