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HAMBURG, Germany: Rafael Nadal will renew his epic rivalry with
Roger Federer in the Hamburg Masters final on Sunday after clinching
a pulsating 7-5, 2-6, 6-2 win over Novak Djokovic on Saturday.
Sunday’s final will be the 16th time the
world’s top two have met, but the Swiss star has only beaten the
Spaniard once on clay. In last year’s final, he bounced back from
losing the first set to win 2-6, 6-2, 6-0.
“I am looking forward to playing in Roger’s
home,” quipped Nadal after Federer had earlier picked up his 22nd
straight win in Hamburg to reach Sunday’s final.
Federer reached the final with a comfortable
6-3, 6-1 win over Italian journeyman Andreas Seppi.
Nadal has now only lost twice on clay in four
years—in last year’s final and in Rome last week to compatriot
Juan Carlos Ferrero when he was plagued by blisters.
The last of Nadal’s seven wins over Federer on
clay came last month in Monte Carlo when the world number one went
down 7-5, 7-5.
In Saturday’s semifinal, with not only a place
in Sunday’s final at stake, but the world number two ranking
behind Federer up for grabs, this was a titanic tussle between Nadal
and Australian Open champion Djokovic, who won the Rome title last
week.
“It was one of the best matches I have played,
maybe the best I have ever played in on clay,” said Djokovic.
“I just want to take the positive things out
of it. Nadal is the best defensive player in the history of the
sport.”
Djokovic has never beaten Nadal on clay in their
three previous meetings on the surface, but he romped into a 3-0
lead in the first set and was a point away from extending the gap
until Nadal responded.
The Spaniard fought back brilliantly with plenty
of aggression to take the first set 7-5.
Djokovic rallied to take the second set 6-2
having powered his way into a 4-2 lead with some superb forehands.
Nadal dug deep to seize a 5-2 lead in the third
set but needed five match points before he took the decider 6-2
after three hours and two minutes.
“It was special game, because he played a very
good game, he has improved incredibly and is getting better,” said
Nadal.
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