Tennis

Federer, Nadal set up another claycourt showdown

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2007-05-20 15:51

Swiss Roger Federer earned the final with Rafael Nadal that he wanted on Saturday at the Masters Series event in Hamburg.

The world number one overcame the opening set slump to beat the former world number one from Spain, Carlos Moya, by 4-6, 6-4, 6-2 in the semi-finals.

Federer said: "My confidence is OK now. My game is getting better. I feel my problems are solved."

Federer has gone four straight tournaments without a title, his worst run since becoming the top-ranked player in February 2004, and he's relying on his traditional success in Hamburg to end that run. Federer has won three Hamburg titles.

He may also be encouraged by the fact that Nadal lost a set for only the second time in 18 matches on clay this year and had to struggle hard to survive against Lleyton Hewitt.

The French Open champion came through 2-6, 6-3, 7-5 against the former world number one from Australia, which extended his unbeaten clay court winning streak to 81.

"I am very happy to be in the final and to be playing against him (Federer). It's always a special match. He arrives with confidence because he won some difficult matches this week," said the king of clay.

"And I have been playing very good tennis in the last week and I will be a hundred percent mentally and physically. I don't have pressure tomorrow. If I win or lose tomorrow I will arrive at the French Open with good preparation and the same confidence: the work is done."