Masters Series Hamburg Final

Today sees the latest installment of the battle between Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal at the last clay court Masters Series event of the year. Four weeks ago in Monte Carlo it was Nadal who predictably defeated Federer 7-5, 7-5. Federer has struggled against Nadal on clay who has an amazing 7-1 head to head record against the Swiss genius on clay. However Federer's sole clay court victory came one year ago at this venue. The Hamburg clay courts are known to be quicker than many other venues and that is a massive advantage to Federer who has Nadals measure on faster surfaces. Federer has had a dissapointing year so far but I feel he has geared the first half of this year with a Roland Garros victory in mind and victory today would be a great boost just a week before the only Grand Slam to elude Federer begins. Nadal had a tough battle yesterday in dispatching Novak Djokovic and while fitness is never an issue with Nadal he has been complaining about this seasons hectic schedule and showed some signs of fatigue in Rome last week. It promises to be another fantastic match and I am going against the stats and predicting a Federer win. Federer (available at 2.62 on Betfair) will be looking to make a statement before the French Open and this quicker Hamburg surface will give him his best chance to do that.