PARIS — Twice Roger Federer took an awkward spill today, leaving the regal champion sprawled on the clay.

The French Open can be humbling, as Federer well knows, but he'll try again for his first Roland Garros title Sunday against nemesis Rafael Nadal.

The top-ranked Federer endured some messy moment in the semifinal. Knocked down but not out, he wiped off the dirt and defeated unseeded Frenchman Gael Monfils 6-2, 5-7, 6-3, 7-5.

Nadal's earlier semifinal was close only by his standards: He lost 12 games and nearly lost a set. The king of clay beat No. 3-seeded Novak Djokovic 6-4, 6-2, 7-6 (3).

Nadal had lost only three games in each of his previous two matches. He's one win from becoming the first player since Bjorn Borg in 1981 to win four consecutive French Open titles, while Federer seeks the only Grand Slam title he has yet to win.

"Against Federer is special," Nadal said. "I will try and face history."

Ana Ivanovic and Dinara Safina will bid for their first Grand Slam title tomorrow in the women's final.