Shanghai: Roger Federer brushed aside World No.1 Rafael Nadal 6-4, 6-3 to win the Shanghai Masters here Sunday and register his fourth victory of the year over his Spanish rival.
The Swiss World No.2 had beaten Nadal in the finals of the Australian Open and Miami Masters and in the last 16 at Indian Wells earlier this year, and never looked like losing to his long-time rival here, firing 10 aces as he cruised to victory in 72 minutes. It was Federer’s sixth title of the year.
“I wasn’t here last year because of injuries, so it’s just so, so nice to be back in Shanghai,” Federer said. “It’s a wonderful moment for me to be back here playing against my good friend and rival, Rafa… we didn’t think maybe we were going to have the year we did.
“I definitely didn’t, so it’s just nice to share this court with you today and hopefully there’s more to come in the tournaments we’ve got left. It’s been a pleasure playing against you again today.”
Playing under a closed roof at the Qi Zhong Tennis Centre here, Federer sprinted out of the blocks, breaking Nadal in the opening game and the Spaniard had little answer to the sheer variety of shots coming across the net.
The Swiss refused to take his foot off the pedal in the second set, breaking Nadal to go 3-2 up and keeping his cool to wrap up victory. He sealed the win on his opponent’s serve, winning the second of three match points to claim his 94th career title.
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