It will be the third straight year that the World's Top 2 players have met in the Wimbledon final after also contesting the Roland Garros title match. In the past two years, the pattern established has seen Nadal crowned champion at Roland Garros, while Federer has triumphed at Wimbledon.
Nearly four weeks ago, Nadal once again denied Federer a career Grand Slam by defeating the Swiss in the second most one-sided Roland Garros final in the Open Era. The two have met 17 times previously, with Nadal leading the series 11-6.
"Well, I think both Roger and me, we did a very good tournament," said Nadal. "Always is tough play against Roger. At the same time, Roger, I think, is tough play against me, because we played a lot of times in a lot of important matches, and this is one more, no? I lost the last two times here, last two years, and this year I gonna try my best another time for try to win."
"I only gonna try my best, no? Try to put my rhythm, my intensity. Later, if he play better than me, he beat me, just congratulate him like every year. Last year I was very close. I hope on Sunday be at the same performance, a little bit better, I have my chances for win. I say, well, if I have the chance, I hope win this time."
The 22-year-old Nadal extends his winning streak to 23 matches. The Spaniard came into Wimbledon on a 49-7 season match record and having won three straight titles at Masters Series Hamburg, Roland Garros and his first on grass at Queen's Club. He now stands at 55-7 for the season and 11-0 on grass.
By his own admission, Nadal was not at his best in his straight sets semifinal victory over Schuettler and after a one-sided first set, Schuettler established himself as a serious challenger in the final two sets.
Watch excerpts from Rafael Nadal's post match media conference
Nadal, who warmed up with John McEnroe prior to the match, broke three times in the first set, in the first, third and seventh games, sealing the set as an overwhelmed Schuettler netted a forehand.
However, Schuettler, who came through the joint-second longest men's singles match in Wimbledon history against Arnaud Clement in the quarterfinals, attacked the second set with more gusto, settling into the match and showing more belief and intensity. His new-found aggression paid off as he broke Nadal's serve in the third game with two forehand winners in quick succession to lead 2-1. The German held on well until 5-4 when, serving for the set at 15-0, he lost the next eight straight points to find himself trailing 6-5. Schuettler recovered to force a tie-break, but Nadal maintained the momentum and settled it 7-3 as Schuettler placed a backhand wide.
The third set was far more comfortable for Nadal. He broke to lead 2-1 before being presented with three match points as Schuettler served at 3-5, 0-40. Uncharacteristic errors from Nadal and brave hitting from Schuettler denied Nadal his first three chances but he did not squander more opportunities when serving for the match at 5-4 and wrapped up the victory as Schuettler failed to return a big serve.
"I played better in the quarterfinals," confessed Nadal. "But always being in the semifinals is one pressure match. But, anyway, the most important thing is I am in the final already, and very happy for be in this final another time."
Nadal is the first Spaniard in history to reach three straight Wimbledon finals, and the first from his country to reach seven Grand Slam finals.
In Sunday's final, Nadal will have the chance to become the third man in the Open Era, after Rod Laver and Bjorn Borg, to win back-to-back Roland Garros and Wimbledon titles. Should he win, he would also become the first player to win all three Roland Garros, Queen's Club and Wimbledon titles in the same year.
Former World No. 5 Schuettler (pictured right), who was a finalist at the Australian Open in 2003 (l. to Agassi), was contesting his first Wimbledon semifinal. Having succumbed to illness and injury and slipped down the rankings to No. 94, the Switzerland resident will now rise back into the Top 40 of the South African Airways ATP Rankings for the first time since April 2005.
“I had an unbelievable tournament, and I knew that it's going to be difficult today,” said Schuettler. Speculating on the final, he added: “I hope it will be a great final. I would like Roger to make the six in a row. We are friends, so it would be really nice. Rafa also, the way he played, would deserve it. For me, whoever wins will be a great champion.”
World No. 2 Rafael Nadal (pictured) set up a blockbuster final with No. 1 Roger Federer after defeating Rainer Schuettler 6-1, 7-6(3), 6-4 in the Wimbledon semifinals on Friday at the All England Club. 
In Sunday's final, Nadal will have the chance to become the third man in the Open Era, after Rod Laver and Bjorn Borg, to win back-to-back Roland Garros and Wimbledon titles. Should he win, he would also become the first player to win all three Roland Garros, Queen's Club and Wimbledon titles in the same year.