Federer thrills himself with perfect end to perfect season

By Bill Scott Nov 19, 2006, 14:15 GMT

Shanghai - Roger Federer improved upon tennis perfection Sunday as he lifted his third Masters Cup title in four years, concluding an undefeated week with a runaway 6-0, 6-3, 6-4 victory over James Blake.

The swashbuckling Swiss was untouchable as he overwhelmed an all- but-defenceless Blake in little more than 90 minutes, firing 11 aces, 41 winners and losing serve only once.

'It's quite incredible. To finish off the season by winning the Masters Cup is ... obviously the perfect ending to an incredible season.

'There's not much more I could have done. I gave myself the best possible chance basically at every event. To come out like this, on top, I surprised even myself.'

Blake, an unlikely finalist as last man to qualify into the eight- strong field, was unable to make an impression in front of a sold-out 15,000 crowd at the Qi Zhong stadium.

The good-natured American admitted he was totally outclassed: 'Today there was nothing I could have done,' said the new world number 4. 'He played too good.

'I've probably run out of adjectives to describe him on the court, to talk about his excellence. He's just unbelievable, he steps it up even more in finals.

'I definitely think I could have played a little better. But to be perfectly honest, I don't know if it would have mattered today. I wish I could have done more.

'I wish I could have been out there longer. But what can you do?,' he said after losing in just over 90 minutes.

Blake was hammered by Federer for a sixth straight loss in the series as the Swiss world number 1 clinched a 12th title this season.

Federer was generous in victory with Blake, who has moved to a career-best fourth in the world. 'James has had a fantastic year, welcome to the Top 4.'

The winner called the season wrapup 'a joy to play,' adding special public praise for longtime girlfriend Mirka Vavrinec, a former player. 'People say I'm the best in the world but I need Mirka to be the best.'

Federer also crashed through the 8-million-dollar prize money barrier to become the first man to earn that much on court, aided by the 1.520,000 dollars he earned for an undefeated run this week in Shanghai.

Blake was succinct about the day: 'I gave him plenty of practice - he gave me plenty of a beating.'

Federer, 92-5 to end his season, also won the event when it was played in Houston in 2003 and 2004 and lost last year's final in Shanghai to David Nalbandian.

He won his 29th match in a row, second-longest win streak of his career.