The Hindu : Sport / Tennis : Federer regains Masters Cup

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Monday, Nov 20, 2006
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Federer regains Masters Cup

DOUBLE DELIGHT: Roger Federer poses with the champion's trophy and the prize car after bagging the Masters Cup. — Photo: AP

SHANGHAI: World No. 1 Roger Federer demolished James Blake in straight sets to claim his third Masters Cup title on Sunday, reinforcing his reputation as the sport's dominant figure.

The 2003 and 2004 champion blasted the bottom seed to love in the first set and rarely looked troubled, winning 6-0, 6-3, 6-4 in one hour and 37 minutes.

The victory brought an emphatic end to what Federer describes as his best year yet, winning three out of four Grand Slam finals and another eight events in the regular season.

``This season is incredible. For me, it is obviously the perfect ending to an incredible season by winning the Masters Cup, the World championship so to speak.'' Federer said.

``I definitely hit my backhand great today (on Sunday). I hit hard. It worked well. I'm definitely very happy with the way it went.'' Federer added.

In control

He described this game: ``I was in control pretty much all the time. Everything I wanted to do worked. To come to this point in my career where I feel so happy with my game, it's come such a long way that I also am out of words to describe this performance.''

Federer's 29th consecutive win makes him the first man to bag three year-ending championships since Pete Sampras completed his haul of five in 1999.

The 25-year-old also becomes the first to surpass $8 million in season earnings, taking home $1,520,000 to boost his year's total to $8,343,885.

Blake's distinction

Blake was the first Masters Cup debutant to reach the final in five years. Despite the one-sided final, his performance here has raised him to a career-high No. 4 ranking, making him the top U.S. player.

``There was nothing I could have done. He played too good,'' said the American.

``I've probably run out of adjectives to talk about his excellence. He's unbelievable and he steps it up in the finals.

``I could have played a little better but to be honest I don't know if it would have made much difference today.''

Federer started at a gallop, hitting two aces and a service winner in his first game and breaking Blake twice in a row to take a stranglehold on the first set.

Awesome record

Federer's record for the season ends at a staggering 92-5 after his four losses to Rafael Nadal and one to Andy Murray.

He entered the final after stretching his unbeaten round-robin record to 15-0 in five consecutive Masters Cup appearances, dropping just two sets in his five matches this year.

Blake was the last to qualify for the tournament on the back of a breakthrough season in which he took five titles and entered the top 10 for the first time.

Earlier, Jonas Bjorkman and Max Mirnyi combined for their first Masters Cup doubles title, extending a drought for Mark Knowles and Daniel Nestor at the season-ending tournament.

Second-ranked Bjorkman and Mirnyi broke third-ranked Knowles and Nestor twice in the first set and once in the second for a 6-2, 6-4 victory.

The results: (finals): Singles: Roger Federer bt James Blake 6-0, 6-3, 6-4.

Doubles: Jonas Bjorkman/ Max Mirnyi bt Mark Knowles/ Daniel Nestor 6-2, 6-4. — Agencies

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