Federer takes fifth consecutive win over Nadal in Shanghai

Roger Federer of Switzerland celebrates with the trophy after winning the singles final match against Rafael Nadal of Spain at 2017 ATP Shanghai Masters tennis tournament in Shanghai, East China, on Oct 15, 2017. [Photo/Xinhua]

SHANGHAI - Roger Federer extended his momentum to the final in Shanghai Rolex Masters on Sunday, defeating Rafael Nadal 6-4, 6-3 to claim his second crown in Shanghai.

It was also the Swiss's superstar's 94th career title and 6th of the season, the same as his rival on Sunday to lead the Tour.

Nadal led the pair's face-to-face encounters 23-14 before coming to Shanghai, but Federer was trying to narrow the margin as he took the victories in their most recent 4 match-ups, including a five-set Grand Slam final win in this year's Australian Open.

"I think I'm serving consistently better. I get easier power ever since I switched to the bigger racquet. I feel I'm connecting better on the backhand and I'm serving good, and that consistently," Federer said after the match, "I return usually coming over and sometimes using the slice; whereas before it always a slice and sometimes coming over. So because I have gotten used to returning that way, I think it's also easier to play Rafa these days."

The second seed was in his best form today, dominating the showdown from the very beginning as he broke Nadal's serve in the first game of the opening set and broke another two in the second set. The 36-year-old also showed his great defence in the match and his Spanish opponent didn't make any chance to break during the 72-minute battle.

"I had no nerves really before the match, which was nice. I don't want to call it like a day dream or anything, but sometimes you visualize points and points and plays. And then, I came off, started off very well. Felt relaxed from then on," Federer said.

The 19-time Grand Slam fired a total of 10 aces during the match, including a love game win with four aces in the sixth game in the first set.

"Of course, it was a very difficult match for me. He played very fast and he played well. I don't know how many unforced errors he make, he played so well, I think I could do maybe some things better, but that's it. That's my point of view. So congrats to him," Nadal, failing to lift his maiden trophy in Shanghai, said at the brief.

Both players have secured the spots in the ATP World Tour Finals which to be held in London in November.

In the doubles final, top seeds Henri Kontinen and John Peers defeated second seeds Lukasz Kubot and Marcelo Melo 6-4, 6-2 to claim their second ATP World Tour Masters 1000 title as a team.