(November 12, 2012) – All throughout the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals, Novak Djokovic weathered the stellar play of his opponents across the net before putting on a display of the leg-stretching, all-court tennis that propelled him to number one in the world. He did all that and more this evening as he literally slid past Roger Federer to claim his second year-end championship title with a 7-6(6), 7-5 victory.

Djokovic had to work for his title as Federer got off to a blistering start to the match. Federer ripped off eight straight points that eventually built into a quick 3-0 lead for the Wimbledon champion. But after Djokovic stopped playing grip and rip tennis to match Federer's lightning pace and allowed himself the opportunity to construct points from the baseline, it was Djokovic who broke Federer and pulled even for 3-all.

Djokovic surged ahead thanks to multiple errors off of Federer's forehand and the Serb served for the set at 5-4. But Federer saved a set point and with yet another speedy display broke back to even things at 5-all. Djokovic lunged for a shot that sent him tumbling down onto the court; a fall that tore a gash on his right elbow. But although Federer had literally drawn first blood, it didn't stop Djokovic from forcing a tiebreak.

Down yet another set point in the breaker, Federer came up with a near-miraculous series of shots including a deft dropper followed by a lunging forehand save to hold off Djokovic once again. But a shanked backhand from Federer on the next point allowed Djokovic to serve out the tiebreak and claim the tumultuous first set.

With Federer being 0-8 lifetime against Djokovic when losing the first set, things didn't bode well for the defending champion in the second set. But with both men needing to catch their breath, the opening game was filled with errors from both men until Federer broke serve thanks to a wayward backhand from Djokovic.

Federer served an ace to go up 3-1 and looked poised to send things into a decider despite Djokovic staying even with Federer throughout the set. Federer fought off a break point at 5-3 and then, after hitting a perfect drop shot winner in the last game, found himself stepping to the line to serve out the set at 5-4.

But that's when the magic ended for Federer. After going up 40-15 on his serve, Federer blew both of his set point chances with missed forehands. Djokovic broke back for 5-all and let out a loud roar letting everyone know in the 02 Arena that he was back.

Djokovic held serve in the next game that forced Federer to try and send things into another tiebreak. A backhand error from Federer set up match point for Djokovic who made no mistake as he slid in and ripped a screaming down the line backhand pass away from Federer to close out the 7-6(6), 7-5 victory.

For Federer, his forehand proved his undoing on the evening as hit only 8 winners on that side but racked up 24 unforced errors in the match. Djokovic himself hit 30 total winners on the night.

The ATP Finals is Djokovic's sixth title of the season and he improved to 34-19 in tour level finals. Djokovic will finish the year as he started it -- as the number one player in the world.