ATP -Roger did it!

Roger beat nemesis Rafael Nadal 2-6, 6-2, 6-0 to win his fourth Hamburg Masters title and end the Spaniard's record run of 81 straight wins on clay.

It was Roger’s first victory against Rafael Nadal on clay, edingin the Spaniard's two-year unbeaten run on the surface. Our star struggled in the first set and faced break points early in the second, before breaking twice himself to claim the second set. He then raced through the decider 6-0, breaking three times for his first win on clay against the 20-year-old.

Roger’s victory also ended his own run of four tournaments without a title, his worst spell since he became world number one in February 2004. He is the first player to have captured the Hamburg title four times.

Nadal's 81-match winning streak on clay was an all-surface record. The world number two had won 13 consecutive tournaments on clay and had last lost on the surface to Igor Andreev in the Valencia Open quarter-finals in April 2005.
Later this month the Roger will attempt to win his first title at the French Open, the only Grand Slam event to elude him so far.

Federer beat Nadal 2-6, 6-2, 6-0 in the final of the Hamburg Masters on Sunday to win his first clay-court title in two years and snap out of a slump during which he failed to win a title in four events. It was his worst run since he became No. 1 in February 2004.

Federer also gave himself a major boost one week before the French Open, the second major of the year and the only Grand Slam he hasn't won.
"It was an incredible performance from my side," Federer said.
"I had a great day, it's nice to be playing well again. It's my first title on clay in a couple of years."

Nadal, who had never lost to Federer on clay in five previous matches and leads the overall series 7-4, was impressed.
"He is unbelievable," the Spaniard said.
Nadal, ranked No. 2 in the world behind Federer, had been unbeaten on the surface since April 2005, a run that included 13 titles.
"If I have to lose against anyone, then he is the man," Nadal said.
"I am not sad to lose to the best in the world."
Federer has won in Hamburg in four of his last five visits and claimed his third title of the year after the Australian Open and Dubai.
"It's great to play here again and win again. I've fallen in love with this tournament," he said.
Federer earned $458,218 for his win, Nadal half of that.
Federer was playing his first tournament since splitting with coach Tony Roche. He has said he will go to the French Open and Wimbledon without a new coach.

**ATP - Association of Tennis Professionals
http://www.rogerfederer.com/