Federer beats Moya to reach Hamburg Masters final

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HAMBURG, May 19 (Reuters) Roger Federer put a poor start behind him to beat Carlos Moya 4-6 6-4 6-2 and reach the final of the Hamburg Masters today.

Federer, needing every bit of match practice he can get on clay before the French Open, seemed determined to go for his shots from the start and he initially paid the price for this high-risk strategy.

The world number one hit 20 unforced errors in losing the first set to the unseeded Moya before finding his rhythm and winning out in two hours seven minutes, finishing off with a stinging forehand pass.

Victory for Federer means he will face second seeded Spaniard Rafael Nadal or Australian 16th seed Lleyton Hewitt in the final, when he will be bidding for his first Masters Series title of the year.

Nadal, the second seed in Hamburg but the overwhelming favourite, has won 80 consecutive matches on clay going into his semi-final, dating back to April, 2005.

REUTERS AKD KP1936