The 2008 Hamburg Masters is set for a tense climax after top seeds Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal progressed to the final of the tournament in yesterday’s semi-finals.

Federer put in the more composed performance of the two, defeating rising Italian star Andreas Seppi in straight sets, 6-3, 6-1. The victory brings Federer to the brink of winning his fifth Hamburg title.

Rafael Nadal faced a stiff test from Novak Djokovic in a match in which the world number two spot was up for grabs. Djokovic had the best of the early running, speeding to a 3-0 lead in the first set before Rafael Nadal clawed his way back, eventually claiming the set 7-5.

Djokovic rallied to take the second set 2-6 with some strong play, forcing the game into a deciding set. Djokovic effectively conceded the match early in the third set, dropping his serve in the first game. The Serb was unable to recover his composure after this setback, squandering four break points during the course of the third set to lose 7-5, 2-6, 6-2.

The semi-final results sets the scene for a repeat of last year’s Hamburg Masters final where Rafael Nadal lost to Federer, conceding the first game on clay of his career.