Federer secures year-end No. 1 ranking

Sep 12, 2006, 8:29 GMT

New York, NY - Roger Federer, who secured his third straight U.S. Open title Sunday, clinched the year-end world No. 1 ranking, the ATP Tour announced Monday.

This marks the third straight year Federer will finish the year ranked at the top. He's also on pace to break his own ATP Race points record.

The 25-year-old Federer has put together one of the most incredible seasons in tennis history. He has eight titles and a 70-5 match record, all with two months still left on the schedule.

On Sunday, Federer became the only player to win Wimbledon and the U.S. Open in the same year three straight years with a four-set win over Andy Roddick.

Two years ago he captured the crown at the Australian Open, Wimbledon and U.S. Open. Federer repeated the trifecta this year, having failed only at the French Open, where he has yet to taste victory and this year fell to Rafael Nadal in the final.

However, Roland Garros is on clay. Federer has dominated the hardcourts. He's an amazing 62-1 on the North American surface since the summer of 2004

Federer is the first player since Rod Laver in 1961-62 to reach six straight Grand Slam finals, and also is the first man to reach all four Grand Slam finals in a calendar year since Laver in 1969.

A true testament to Federer's success is his performances over his last 45 tournaments. In that span, the super Swiss has won 30 championships while comiling a record of 225-15. That includes winning nine of the last 14 Grand Slam events.

Federer is the fifth player in the history of the ATP rankings, since 1973, to finish No. 1 at least three straight years. Pete Sampras holds the record at six straight years (1993-98).

Federer has been ranked No. 1 for 137 consecutive weeks, going back to February 2, 2004. Federer could break Jimmy Connors' all-time record of 160 straight weeks, if he can hold onto No. 1 through February 26, 2007.

© 2006 The Sports Network