Rafael Nadal defeated the defending champion Roger Federer in a rematch of the previous year's final, 7âÂÂ5, 6âÂÂ7<sup>(3âÂÂ7)</sup>, 6âÂÂ3 to win the singles tennis title at the 2008 Hamburg European Open.
This was the last edition of the tournament played as an ATP Masters Series event, as it was downgraded to an ATP Tour 500 event for the 2009 season.
The top eight seeds receive a bye into the second round.