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Roger Federer produces masterclass to beat Rafael Nadal and clinch Shanghai Masters title
Roger Federer brushed aside world No 1 Rafael Nadal 6-4, 6-3 to win the Shanghai Masters and register his fourth victory of the year over his Spanish rival.
The Swiss world No 2 beat Nadal in the finals of the Australian Open and Miami Masters and in the last 16 at Indian Wells, and never looked likely of losing to his long-time rival, firing 10 aces as he cruised to victory.
Federer, the only man who can still stop Nadal ending the year as No 1, took an hour and 12 minutes to claim his sixth title of the year with a clinical performance.
Federer remains 1,940 points off Nadal in the race for the No 1 spot but could close the gap with victories in Basel and Paris. The chase to end the year in the top spot could yet come down to the World Tour finals in London in mid November.
Federer on how he's beat Nadal five times in a row
Not playing so much on clay! That's helpful, to avoid the entire claycourt season. With the bigger racket head sizes, I'm not slicing as much. I'm staying on the baseline, dictating points. My heads screwed on the right way as I haven't had to get it round any losses on clay too.
Federer on the No 1 ranking...
I'm not thinking about it. I just try to be healthy now. I'll go back to Switzerland tomorrow with my team and decide what I'm going to play, whether I'll go to Basel and Paris. I'm focused on London and winning there. If I play like this, maybe, who knows I'll get close to it (the No 1 spot).
Federer takes to the mic
I wasn't here last year because of injuries so it's nice to be back here. A stadium that I opened myself a few years ago. It's nice to share this court with you (Rafa) today and hopefully we've got more to come.
"It's been a pleasure to share the court with you again today"@RogerFederer + @RafaelNadal = friendship goals#SHRolexMasterspic.twitter.com/5xUHRMiuga
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) October 15, 2017
Here comes Rafa
Nadal speaks
I want to congratulate Roger for a great year. Today you played a fantastic match. This year for him has been my most successful year in China. It's been a great two weeks, I feel very happy for what has happened for me.
Federer receives his trophy
Federer receives a small bunch of flowers, a trophy and a Rolex watch from organisers during a lengthy presentation ceremony. Then they'll be a lengthy photo session before we can hear from today's champion.
Federer clocking up the titles
Victory today is Federer's 27th Masters 1000 title. It also means he stays in the hunt for the world No 1 ranking this season. Nadal remains in top spot and 1,940 points clear. But Federer could close on the Spaniard by playing and winning in Basel and Paris where there are 1,500pts at stake. What are the chances that the No 1 spot is on the line at the World Tour Finals in London?
More history made.@RogerFederer beats Rafa Nadal for the 5th consecutive time to win 27th Masters 1000 title!#SHRolexMasterspic.twitter.com/kfcFegJXxU
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) October 15, 2017
Federer* 6-4, 6-3 Nadal (*denotes next server)
Nadal serving to stay in the championships now but Federer rushes the Spaniard by moving him up and down the baseline and then pulling the trigger. The Spaniard doesn't help his own cause by dumping a regulation backhand long and then slaps into the net with an overhead smash. Federer races to three championship points. Nadal saves the first by executing a volley. But he can't save the next and Federer continues his superiority over Nadal this year. That's his fourth of 2017 and his fifth overall. FEDERER WINS SHANGHAI MASTERS WITH STRAIGHT SETS WIN OVER NADAL.
Federer 6-4, 5-3 Nadal* (*denotes next server)
A brief hold up to the start of the game as two officials take their seats don't disrupt Federer's flow as he sends down another ace. Even when Nadal does get his racket head on a return, he's still standing so far back that he has to cover a lot of room to get the ball back. At three-game points, Federer's mind goes a wandering as he cranks a return at the net well long. It's the only blot on his service book this game.
Federer* 6-4, 4-3 Nadal (*denotes next server)
Just over an hour played now and Nadal remains at a loss as to how to turn this match around. The Spaniard is on a 16-match winning streak heading into this final but Federer just has the beating of his great rival these days, especially on the hard courts. Federer keeps getting everything back at Nadal, drawing back to 40-30 but the world No 1 executes a drop shot for game.
Federer 6-4, 4-2 Nadal* (*denotes next server)
Nadal coming in for criticism from co-commentator Peter Fleming for not changing up his tactics and moving 'out of his comfort zone' as Federer motors through another service game. He races to three game points and cements the break with a love game.
Federer* 6-4, 3-2 Nadal (*denotes next server)
Federer strikes a beautiful backhand winner into the opposite corner for 15-30, but can't back it up as Nadal's forehand catches the Swiss out mid-court with Federer charging to the net.
Nadal shows a good response to edge to game point but Federer uses his trusty backhand wing again to punch a winner inside the line for deuce. Nadal has time to execute a backhand, but slaps into the net and the crowd crank up the volume as Federer has break point, the first of the second set. A mighty first serve saves the danger. But Federer won't give up, nipping into the net and executing a deft drop shot.
Federer targets Nadal's backhand during the next tally rally and finally draws the error from that wing. He's made the breakthrough. FEDERER BREAKS.
Federer 6-4, 2-2 Nadal* (*denotes next server)
Federer covers the net well to block any passing attempt from Nadal and forces the Spaniard to go long. Nadal goes for broke on one Federer serve, moving early shaping for a forehand reply, only for Federer to go down the middle. Nadal senses an opening at 30-all, but Federer stops the Spaniard getting ahead of himself with a backhand smash into the corner. Nadal loops the next serve wide but showed decent pressure during the game.
Federer* 6-4, 1-2 Nadal (*denotes next server)
Solid hold to love for Nadal. He needed that. He retreats to his chair trying to think of a plan to test Federer when they come out again.
Federer 6-4, 1-1 Nadal* (*denotes next server)
Nadal standing so far back now to receive Federer's serves and the Swiss takes note of this, rushing the net to serve-volley through to three game points. Nadal gets a point on the board, but they are few and far between on Fed's serve today.
Federer* 6-4, 0-1 Nadal (*denotes next server)
Wow. Federer starts the second as he left the first set, fizzing an unstoppable forehand down the line. But wait, a glimmer of hope now for Nadal as he pushes long on a couple of returns for game point. Federer, calm as you like swings and makes a service return to stay in the game but then can't get under a nippy forehand return from Nadal close to the baseline.
Federer 6-4 Nadal* (*denotes next server)
Federer bamboozles Nadal again, pushing him into the corner and then unleashing a dazzling forehand into the opposite one. Federer's precision has been superb as he races to three set points. An ace down the T secures him the set. FEDERER WINS THE FIRST SET.
Federer* 5-4 Nadal (*denotes next server)
A mishit from Nadal sees a forehand return change into a top-spin dropshot that lands short of Federer and is the slice of luck Nadal has been crying out for this final. It's a comfortable hold and his first to love. He'll make Federer serve for the first set.
Federer 5-3 Nadal* (*denotes next server)
Federer has never beaten Nadal five matches in a row, but currently he's on track to record that milestone. The Swiss is giving Nadal the run around on the baseline and the Spaniard is limited to the odd point here and there on Federer's serve.
Federer* 4-3 Nadal (*denotes next server)
This is a pure masterclass from Federer and Nadal has to rely on the odd error or two from the world No 2. Nadal stays toe-to-toe with Federer during another baseline slug and draws a mistake from Federer on his forehand wing. He's digging deep to try and keep in touch out there.
Federer 4-2 Nadal* (*denotes next server)
Former Chelsea striker Oscar is courtside as Federer eases through his service gears. Three straight aces move him to three game points. A fourth ace completes a perfect game in 50 seconds. Boom.
Federer* 3-2 Nadal (*denotes next server)
Nadal is being rushed to make his groundstrokes and is struggling to find the lines when put under such pressure. A couple of returns to the net move Nadal to two game points, but the Spaniard slaps his own backhand into the tape. No worries, an ace draws him closer to his great rival.
Federer 3-1 Nadal* (*denotes next server)
Both players showing indications they want to charge the net where possible to cut short the points. When a rally ensues, Federer has the upper hand, executing the angles and striking the winners. Federer throws in his first wayward shot of the final so far at game point by pushing a forehand long. Again, it's only a short delay as he secures another comfortable service hold.
Federer* 2-1 Nadal (*denotes next server)
Nadal looks to be shaping up to shake off that early service break when Federer whips a forehand winner across court which unnerves the Spaniard again. From the comfort of 30-0 up, Nadal strikes long to bring Federer level. A body serve catches Federer out and Nadal manages to stop the Swiss' momentum for the time being.
Federer 2-0 Nadal* (*denotes next server)
Federer is all over anything short coming back at him and causing Nadal all sorts of problems early into the final. He races to 40-15 with his first ace and then looks to have wrapped up the game with another ace, this time out wide, before a line judge calls for a second serve. It only holds him up by 10 seconds, mind.
Federer* 1-0 Nadal (*denotes next server)
Nadal serves first under the roof. The Spaniard scampers across and makes a zipping service return from Federer, but the Swiss catches his reply sweetly to send Nadal moving in the other direction but out of reach.
A couple of dragged backhands into the tramlines hand Federer an early break at 15-40 against the stubble-wearing Federer. Nadal denies his rivalry of the first by stepping into a forehand and brings up deuce with a first ace.
Federer sustains the pressure during the next rally, showing great aggressive to force a third break point. This time he takes it by flashing a crisp backhand winner past a net-charging Nadal. FEDERER BREAKS.
Sharapova is a winner
While Federer and Nadal finish their warm ups there's just time to say that Maria Sharapova has clinched her first WTA title since returning from a drugs ban after beating Aryna Sabalenka to win the Tianjin Open.
The five-time grand slam champion overcame Belarusian teenager Sabalenka 7-5 7-6 (10/8).
Maria Sharapova ������ (��@WTA) pic.twitter.com/vx6YLFU5Nh
— doublefault28 (@doublefault28) October 15, 2017
The roof has been closed
Organisers have opted against any delays or holds up due to rain by closing the roof for the final. It has been raining heavily in Shanghai earlier today so it's probably the best call even though it's likely to favour Federer.
Both players are out on court, under the lights in Shanghai. Nadal dressed in all blue, Federer in white T-shirt and navy shorts.
Can Nadal cement year end No 1 ranking?
Victory for Nadal could all but secure the Spaniard of ending the year as the world No 1 for the fourth time.
A win today would extend Nadal's lead over Federer to 2,760 points in the rankings. Nadal hasn't finished the season as top dog since 2013.
Back to normality
Federer and Nadal resume duties across the net this morning for the fourth time this year.
The last time these two giants of the sport were both on court, they were team-mates and jumping on each other's backs in the inaugural Laver Cup in Prague last month. In fact, the tennis world stopped for 81 months to watch Federer and Nadal team up in the doubles for the first time in their careers.
While accusations were flying around after the tournament that this was merely a glorified exhibition at best, Federer and Nadal will both have their game faces on as their rivalry returns today.
Federer has won the last four meetings between these two, three of which have been contested this year. You have to go back to the Australian Open in 2014 for Nadal's last win over the Swiss when he won their last four clash in straight sets to reach the final in Melbourne.
Federer vs Nadal preview
What is it?
It's only the 38th encounter between Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal at the Shanghai Masters final.
When is it?
Today, this morning on Sunday, October 15.
What time does it start?
Around 9.30BST.
What TV channel is it on?
It's on Sky Sports Main Event channel from 9.30am. Alternatively, you can follow game-by-game latest with our rolling blog. Bookmark this page and come back in a little while.
How did both men reach the final?
World No 1 and top seed in Shanghai, Nadal beat Croatia's Marin Cilic 7-5, 7-6 (3) in the first semi-final. Nadal is currently on a 16-match winning streak after lifting the China Open trophy last weekend.
Second seed in China, Federer was stretched to three sets before posting a 3-6, 6-3, 6-3 win over Juan Martin del Potro.
Federer, looking for his sixth title this year, won the Australian Open and Wimbledon this year to increase his Grand Slam men's singles record to 19 titles.
What's their head-to-head record?
Nadal holds a commanding 23-14 winning record over Federer, but Federer has won their last four meetings, including all three this season.
What's our prediction?
While Federer has had the edge over his rival this year, we fancy Nadal to win in straight sets.
