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.

Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer have all booked their places in today’s 2008 Hamburg Masters quarterfinals.

Roger Federer put in another virtually flawless performance to dismiss Sweden’s Robin Soderling 6-3, 6-2. The world number one has only lost one set to Soderling during his career.

“I was happy with the match, I controlled things well from the baseline and I feel comfortable here,” said Federer who is targeting his fifth Hamburg Masters title.

Meanwhile Rafael Nadal spoilt Andy Murray’s birthday celebrations by sending Britain’s top ranked player packing in a comprehensive 6-3, 6-2 defeat. It was Murray’s third loss to Rafael Nadal in as many encounters.

“His forehand is incredible on clay, I think it’s one of the best in tennis,” an admiring Murray said of his opponent after the match.

Novak Djokovic cruised into the 2008 Hamburg Masters quarterfinals with a 7/6, 6-3 win over Croatian Ivo Karlovic. Djokovic will meet Spain’s Albert Montanes in the 2008 Hamburg Masters quarterfinals.

The third round of the 2008 Hamburg Masters also produced an upset as Spain’s David Ferrer was knocked out of the tournament in straight sets by Fernando Verdasco, losing 7-6, 6-2.
 
 

All three top seeds powered into the third round of the 2008 Hamburg Masters yesterday, with none requiring a third set to knock out their lower ranked opponents.

Roger Federer barely broke a sweat as he defeated Jarkko Nieminen 6-1, 6-3 to move through to the next round. Meanwhile Novak Djokovic seemed equally comfortable as he hit 34 winners to send Juan Ignacio Chela packing 6-3, 6-1.

Rafael had to work hardest in his second round fixture as his opponent, Potito Starace, forced him into a tiebreak for the second set. It only took 6 points for Nadal to settle the tiebreak, winning the game 6-4, 7-6.

Andy Murray played well during the third round of the 2008 Hamburg Masters, knocking out fancied French opponent Gilles Simon 6-3, 6-3. “It’s a very good win,” said Murray. “He’s beaten a lot of top guys on clay.

Murray is now set to encounter Rafael Nadal in the third round of the 2008 Hamburg Masters, and will be fancying his chances of delivering Nadal his third career defeat on clay.

“Everyone keeps asking me why I can’t win any matches on clay, but I’ve had a couple of good wins this week and hopefully I can keep it going in my next match.”

A host of 2008 Hamburg Masters top seeds booked their places in the third round of the tournament yesterday, with France’s Richard Gasquet the only high profile casualty of the day.

Gasquet continued a miserable run up to the French Open by losing to Italian Andreas Seppi in straight sets, conceding the match 6-3. 6-2 in just over an hour.

“I am really disappointed, I wasn’t in the game and I didn’t play at all well,” a disappointed Gasquet told the Associated Press after the match. “I am not confident at all for Roland Garros, but you can never say never, I will try to do my best there, of course.”

Gasquet’s early exit leaves only one Frenchman in the tournament, with Jo-Wilfried Tsonga set to face Swede Robin Solderling in his second round tie.

Top seeds advancing to the next stage of the 2008 Hamburg Masters included Miami Masters champion Nikolay Davydenko, who overcame Ivan Ljubicic 6-4, 6-1, and Fernando Vasco, who knocked out Michael Llodra 6-2, 6-0.

Spain’s Carlos Moya survived a tough three set second round encounter against Julien Benneteau, losing the first set before rallying in tense a 3-6, 6-4, 7-6 win.

Australian Open finalist Jo-Wilfried Tsonga overcame a poor start to beat compatriot Nicolas Mahut 0-6, 7-6, 6-3 in his first game of the 2008 Hamburg Masters. The young Frenchman put in a determined performance and served brilliantly to reverse a first set whitewash and claim an unlikely victory.

Meanwhile, Andy Murray kept British hopes in the Hamburg Masters alive. The young Scotsman, who was injured in the same tournament last year, scored a comfortable victory over Russian Dmitry Tsurunov taking the game 6-4, 6-1.

Murray’s win set up an encounter with Gilles Simon in the second round. If Murray clears that hurdle he’ll have Spanish clay king Rafael Nadal waiting for him in the 3rd round of the 2008 Hamburg Masters.

The biggest upset on the first day of the 2008 Hamburg Masters came as Spaniard Fernando Verdasco beat world number 13 Mikhail Youzhny 6-3, 6-2. Verdasco will play either Guillermo Canas or Michael Llodra in the 3rd round of the 2008 Hamburg Masters tournament.

German player Nicolas Kiefer gave the home crowd something to cheer about on the first day of the 2008 Hamburg Masters when he defeated France’s Paul-Henri Mathieu 6-4, 6-4.