Federer leaves Nadal stuck on clay this time

Roger Federer had the perfect response to questions about his status as the world’s top-ranked player -- he ended Rafael Nadal’s 81-match winning streak on clay.

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 event 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.”

The match turned when Federer broke serve for a 2-1 lead in the second set, after fighting off two break points.

“I returned better and I served better and I was dictating play,” Federer said.

Nadal, who won the Rome Masters series last week, appeared to tire. Federer took advantage and won a set at love against Nadal for the second time. He shut him out in the first set of the Wimbledon final last year.

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Surface appeal

Roger Federer ended Rafael Nadal’s 81-match winning streak on clay Sunday in the final of the Hamburg Masters. The longest clay winning streaks:

*--* Matches Player Dates 81 Rafael Nadal April 2005 to May 2007 53 Guillermo Vilas May 1977 to October 1977 46 Bjorn Borg October 1977 to May 1979 40 Thomas Muster February 1995 to June 1995 38 Thomas Muster August 1995 to April 1996 38 Ilie Nastase May 1973 to October 1973

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The longest ATP winning streaks by surface:

*--* Surface Player, Matches Dates Clay Rafael Nadal, 81 April 2005 to May 2007 Carpet John McEnroe, 65 September 1983 to April 1985 Hard Roger Federer, 56 February 2005 to March 2006 Grass Roger Federer, 48 June 2003 to present

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Source: Associated Press