rogerfederer.com - Final: Roger vs. Nadal

Final: Roger vs. Nadal

Roger rallied past Carlos Moya 4-6, 6-4, 6-2 today to advance to the Hamburg Masters final. He is most certainly looking to end a streak in which he has gone four straight tournaments without a title. And it certainly promises looks like an interesting encounter: opponent is no one less than Rafael Nadal!

"It's nice to come back from one set down," he said after the match. "I came out of it but I am still missing too much. You have to believe that you can come back."

Moya, a 30-year-old veteran who was ranked No. 1 in the world in 1999 but has now dropped to No. 36, had never beaten Roger in six previous meetings. "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."

Roger 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 our star even. Roger 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."