By Chris Oddo | Sunday October 15, 2017
Roger Federer claimed his sixth title of 2017 with a flawless victory over Rafael Nadal in Shanghai.
Photo Source: TennisTV
Roger Federer continued his 2017 mastery of his longtime rival Rafael Nadal on Sunday in Shanghai, producing a flawless 6-4, 6-3 victory to claim his sixth title of the season and 94th overall.
Watch: Federer Celebrates Match Point in Shanghai
From the moment that Federer blasted a backhand down-the-line winner on his third break point of the first game of the final, the Swiss was in control, just as he has been for much of the season against Nadal.
Federer marched through his service games with impressive aplomb, and he only dropped eight points on serve over the course of the 71 minute battle. He never faced a break point.
Federer’s victory stretches his personal winning streak against Nadal to five, and ends Nadal’s winning streak at 16. The Spaniard’s last loss came in Cincinnati, but after titles at the U.S. Open and Beijing, he may have been a bit worn down on Sunday. He appeared for the final with strapping just below his right knee, but did not exhibit any ill effects on court.
After the match, French journalist Carole Bouchard reported seeing Nadal “clearly limping” as he came to his press conference.
"He served huge, [and was] returning well,” Nadal would later reflect. “When someone plays better than you in most things that matter, it's tough"
The real story of the final was the near perfect form of Federer on a fast surface that suited him. The Swiss was on the attack from the onset and he made the most of his early breaks in both sets.
After claiming the opener, Federer converted his second break point of the fifth game of the second set to claim the critical break in set two.
It was academic from there.
Federer’s victory catapults him into a tie for second on the all-time ATP title list with Ivan Lendl at 94.
Federer also claims his 27th Masters 1000 title in addition to a few other notable milestones.