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![World number one Roger Federer swept to his fourth Masters title in Shanghai [AFP]](http://mwcnews.net/images/stories/Global2/1/2/3/4/Roger-Federer-2b.jpg "World number one Roger Federer swept to his fourth Masters title in Shanghai [AFP]") | | World number one Roger Federer swept to his fourth Masters title in Shanghai [AFP] |
Roger Federer, world number one, claimed his fourth Masters Cup title with a resounding display of clinical tennis against Spain's David Ferrer in Shanghai.
The Swiss defending champion dominated his fifth consecutive year-end final from the outset, winning 6-2, 6-3, 6-2 in one hour and 38 minutes.
Federer pocketed $1.2 million in prize money for his Masters win, pushing his season earnings to a record $8,630,620. The world number one entered the match as strong favourite against the sixth-ranked Ferrer, after thrashing Andy Roddick and Rafael Nadal to reach the final.
Federer volleyed his way out of a break point in his first service game and turned the tables with a mesmerising lob-and-volley in Ferrer's next game, converting the first break point as the Spaniard netted.
Ferrer was wilting visibly in the face of Federer's all-round onslaught and double-faulted to go two breaks down, and then netted a backhand to give up the set in just 26 minutes.
The terrier-like Ferrer is known for his athletic court coverage, but he couldn't match Federer, who sent several unerring backhands past the Spaniard before getting a double-break to take the second set.
Federer saved three break points at the start of the third set and bent a running forehand past Ferrer to go 3-1 up before completing the demolition by breaking again with another forehand winner.
'Best in history'
"I'm so happy," Federer beamed.
"This is the year-end tournament championship where only the best play so for me to have won this yet again is a great experience.
"I'm looking forward to some vacation and then come back hopefully stronger next year."
Ferrer was left in no doubt about the quality of his opponent.
"Roger is the best in history," he said.
Federer won the Masters Cup in 2003, 2004 and 2006.
Only three players, Ilie Nastase, Ivan Lendl and Pete Sampras, have won the season-ending tournament four times or more.
Federer continues winning ways
It was Federer's 70th career final in contrast to Ferrer's ninth, highlighting the gulf between them.
Ferrer, who was competing in his biggest ever match, has taken just one set off Federer in their eight meetings, all of which he has lost.
The 25-year-old has enjoyed his best season yet, winning three tournaments and reaching a career-high sixth ranking and was unbeaten in reaching the final, shocking compatriot Nadal along the way.
Federer, 26, was upset by Fernando Gonzalez in his opening match at the $4.45 million event but then beat Nikolay Davydenko, Roddick and arch-rival Nadal to reach the final.
Federer, a twelve-time Grand Slam winner, won another seven titles this year including the Australian Open, Wimbledon and the US Open, taking his number of titles to 52, and celebrates his second consecutive eight-million-dollar season.
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Tags: Roger Federer Masters Cup
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