Federer wins 4th Masters Cup in 5 years
Updated: 2007-11-19 08:12
SHANGHAI, China -- Roger Federer was asked what advice he would offer a player getting ready to face him. "Don't even try, pal," the top-ranked Swiss star said. "You're probably not going to win."
While Federer was quick to say he was joking, it is pretty accurate right now.
Federer won his fourth Masters Cup title in five years Sunday, overwhelming No. 6 David Ferrer 6-2, 6-3, 6-2. In dominating a fourth consecutive top-five opponent, he showed that the gap between him and the rest of the men's field is as big as ever.
Against Ferrer, known as one of the quickest and best defensive players, Federer was even quicker in tracking down shots that would have been winners against almost anyone else, never giving up on a point, and mixing in good offense, too.
The scene was similar in Federer's semifinal against second-ranked Rafael Nadal, his defensive-minded rival who succumbed in just 59 minutes. And hard-serving No. 5 Andy Roddick could only watch in frustration as Federer landed 83 percent of his own first serves and yielded just two games in two sets.
"He's playing very, very well," Ferrer said in a bit of an understatement. "He has no weak point."
That is indeed what has kept Federer at the top for the fourth straight year. And there's no sign he's slowing down as he prepares to resume his pursuit of Pete Sampras' record of 14 Grand Slams -- he currently has 12 -- at the Australian Open in January. He'll face Sampras this week at an exhibition in Malaysia.
"It was a nice victory, especially proving it, to myself and the world, that I can do it over and over again," Federer said. "This is the year-end tournament that only the best can make it to.
Federer collected $1.2 million and a new car for his 53rd career title, his eighth this year. His season winnings topped $10 million, a record for the ATP Tour.
"I practiced hard to get (to) this level," he said. "So when it all comes together in a finals like today against Ferrer, it's fantastic."
Fantastic indeed. About the only thing that Federer did wrong was continue his poor judgment in challenging line calls.
The Spanish contingent in the chilly but packed 15,000-seat stadium included about two dozen boisterous fans dressed in the red-and-gold national colors. A trumpet player led chants to encourage Ferrer, but should have been playing "Taps" instead as Federer ran his record against the Spaniard to 8-0.
Ferrer was simply no match for Federer's blend of spins, power and volleying skills.
Swiss fans said it all with a banner reading, "Shhh! Quiet! Genius at work."
Ferrer admitted he was a bit nervous playing in his biggest final ever and first Masters Cup. Federer made sure he never got comfortable.
Federer faced a break point at 2-2, 30-40 in the first set, then ran off 18 of the next 19 points. The streak also started a stretch in which Federer won 30 of 33 service points through the end of the second set.
"I surprise myself at times," the 26-year-old Federer said. "I've always had a tendency to all of a sudden go in streaks. Once you get on a roll, it's so hard for the opponent to come back into it. I don't allow them. I can mix it up and change it up. This is my big strength. I hope I can keep that going for many more years to come, obviously."
Ferrer, constantly trying to pick on Federer's backhand, hit two amazing winners while serving at 3-3 in the second set. Federer still broke him. When he sent a backhand long on set point, Ferrer smashed his racket, nearly breaking it in two.
Ferrer got one last shot with three break points as Federer served at 1-1 in the third set, but couldn't convert. Federer then broke him the next game on a forehand passing shot on the run.
In the doubles final, top-seeded Mark Knowles of the Bahamas and Daniel Nestor of Canada beat Simon Aspelin of Sweden and Julian Knowle of Austria 6-2, 6-3. The world's top-ranked team of twins Bob and Mike Bryan pulled out of the tournament because of Mike Bryan's elbow injury. They hope to play when the US faces Russia in the Davis Cup final at the end of the month.
The Masters Cup will again be played in Shanghai in 2008, but it will move to London in 2009 for four years and be renamed the ATP World Tour Finals.
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