Nicolas Almagro goes for his fifth ATP final of the year in Hamburg this afternoon against Fernando Verdasco.
Almagro's strong serving has helped him throughout the week and he needed it to see him through a tight quarter-final against Germany's Florian Mayer. The last German left in the draw, Mayer was getting plenty of support but Almagro held firm to secure a 7-6, 7-6 win.
“When you play with a local player, it’s a little bit difficult with the support, but I’m happy with my tennis today,” he said. “I think I played a really good match, was really focused on my game all the time.”
Verdasco is going for his third final of the season. The left-hander is on the up after a 6-3, 2-6, 6-4 win over second seed Jurgen Melzer, one of his best wins of the season.
“Against Nicolas, it’s always good matches – very close and tough, difficult matches,” Verdasco commented. “We are friends, we know each other a lot, we’re almost from the same age. For sure, I think it will be a great game.”
Verdasco has enjoyed plenty of success against his compatriot on the tour in the past, leading 3-1 on the head-to-head but Almagro did beat him 6-1, 4-6, 6-1, 6-4 at last year's French Open.
Prediction: Almagro in three.
