HAMBURG, Germany -- Down a set, Rafael Nadal rallied to
extend his amazing clay-court win streak.
Roger Federer, who is trying to end his surprising tournament
winless streak, also pulled off a similar comeback on Saturday.
Federer and Nadal won their semifinals and set up a showdown
between the top-ranked players for the Hamburg Masters
championship.
Nadal defeated Lleyton Hewitt 2-6, 6-3, 7-5 to extend his
clay-court winning streak to 81 matches and Federer beat Carlos
Moya 4-6, 6-4, 6-2.
"It's nice to come back from one set down," Federer said. "I
came out of it but I am still missing too much. You have to believe
that you can come back."
Federer has gone four straight tournaments without a title, his
worst run since he became No. 1 in February 2004. The Swiss star
has won three Hamburg championships in his past four visits to the
tuneup for the French Open.
He takes a 16-match winning streak in Hamburg into the final,
his fourth this season.
Nadal, No. 2 in the world, has a 7-3 career record against
Federer, including 5-0 on clay.
Nadal beat Federer in the final of the Monte Carlo Masters this
year and is looking for his fifth title of the year.
"I feel good, it's always a special, interesting match," Nadal
said. "I have no pressure, win or lose I will go to Paris with the
best of confidence."
Nadal appeared in trouble when he dropped his serve to allow
Hewitt to get even at 4-4 in the third. But Nadal broke back at
love, whipping a tremendous crosscourt backhand winner.
Serving for the match, Nadal climbed out of a 30-0 hole, only to
see Hewitt hit a forehand winner. Hewitt earned the break when
Nadal's forehand went wide and the match was tied again.
Nadal broke serve again and served out the match, but not before
saving two break points.
"I didn't quite take my chances," Hewitt said.
Moya was ranked No. 1 in 1999 but has dropped to No. 36. The
Spaniard had never beaten Federer in six previous meetings, but
gave him trouble early on.
"Today was the day to beat him; I had a feeling I could beat
him," Moya said. "But at important moments, he brings out his
best."
Federer saved three set points before losing the first set.
Serving for the second at 5-3, he allowed Moya to save three set
points and then dropped his serve. But a forehand winner in the
next game put Federer even. Federer broke serve for a 4-2 lead in
the third and was on his way.
"I felt I was controlling the match," Moya said. "But with
Federer, you can't expect to beat him until it's over. I had some
break points but he came up with some great shots."
Speaking before Nadal's match was completed, Federer said
beating the Spaniard in the final would be a great way to go into
the French Open, the only Grand Slam he hasn't won.
"That would surely boost my energy, my motivation and my
confidence for the French Open," Federer said.