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SHANGHAI - World No 1 Roger Federer underlined his absolute dominance of men's tennis when he routed American James Blake 6-0 6-3 6-4 late last night (NZ time) to win the Masters Cup for the third time in four years.
The Swiss was beaten by David Nalbandian in last year's final but there was no upset this time and he mercilessly took apart the man who will end the year as the fourth best player in the world for his 12th title of the season.
"It's quite incredible to finish off by winning the Masters Cup, the world championship so to speak," said Federer. "It's obviously a perfect end to an incredible season.
"I had to laugh at one stage I was playing so well, everything I tried today worked," he said.
New Yorker Blake, who beat world No 2 Rafael Nadal and Nalbandian on his way to the final in his first Masters Cup appearance, did not lack effort and had 11 break points.
Federer, however, glided around the court to save all but one of them and clinched the year-ending championship in just one hour 37 minutes.
"There's nothing I could have done, he was too good," said Blake. "I've run out of adjectives to describe him on court.
"Just more evidence that he's the best of all time."
The 2003 and 2004 champion was unbeaten in the tournament so added $1.52 ($2.32) million to his year's haul to become the first player to earn more than $8 million in a season with a total of $8,343,885.
The Australian, US Open and Wimbledon champion extended his winning streak to 29 matches and also set a new high for ranking points held at any time by a player with 8370.
He has also accumulated enough ranking points to ensure that he will break Jimmy Connors' record of 160 consecutive weeks as world No 1 on Feb. 26 next year.
As he did in his semi-final defeat of Nadal, Federer opened the match with a rash of aces and then galloped through the first set in only 26 minutes, pausing only to save five break points in game five.
Blake tried everything, spraying balls all over the court, grunting up some extra power, a little serve and volley, hitting the ball between his legs and even enlisting the support of the Hawk-Eye machine with three correct challenges.
Federer, however, was in a realm of his own and after he saved another three break points in the third game of the second set, the match was over as a contest and became almost an exhibition of the 25-year-old's extraordinary skills.
An exquisite running backhand found the corner to help him to a sixth break for 5-3 in the third but Blake restored some pride by breaking when Federer was serving for the match.
It only delayed the inevitable for eight points and Federer converted the first of three championship points when Blake netted a service return.
"I don't feel like I collapsed at all," said Blake. "I wish I could have done better but that was my best for today.
"Roger just played better than me in every facet of the game."
- REUTERS
