LONDON, ENGLAND – Roger Federer played his 100th ATP final and notched up a record sixth title in the end of year ATP World Tour Final 27 November, defeating Jo-Wilfried Tsonga 6-3 6-7 6-3.
The Swiss master also moved past Stefan Edberg in his total number of wins but still has some way to go to match Jimmy Connors, John McEnroe and Ivan Lendl. Federer won the first set against Tsonga and looked like he would finish a routine win in two sets when he only had to hold his serve to take the trophy. However, Tsonga then won his first break of serve to take the match to a tie-break, which the French resident of Gingins in the Canton of Vaud won 8-6.
The third set went with serve till the eighth game when Federer broke serve and this time he had no problem holding his serve to win 6-3 6-7 6-3.
Federer’s wins in the final three tournaments of the season, in Basel, Paris-Bercy and London, moved him past Andy Murray to reclaim third place in the ATP rankings, behind Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal. He also picked up a £1 million for his week’s work.
Rome, Italy (GenevaLunch) – Rafa Nadal won his fifth Rome Masters tournament, and his 17th ATP World Tour Masters tournament, matching Andre Agassi’s record for ATP Masters wins, at only age 23. Agassi wa 34 when he became the record-holder. Nadal defeated David Ferrer 7-5 6-2 Sunday 2 May in a rain-soaked tournament with numerous rain delays. Nadal looked in good form, giving the impression that his injuries of recent months are behind him.
Links to other sites: ATP World Tour, Nadal’s home page
London, England (GenevaLunch) – Rafael Nadal’s chances of pushing Roger Federer out of the number one slot in tennis faded Monday night when he lost to Robin Soderling 6-4, 6-4 in the ATP World Tour, in the first match of a round robin. Soderling had handed Nadal his first loss on clay at the French Open in Paris in May 2009. Monday’s game had Nadal running all over the court, and after the game Nadal said he hadn’t really had the “necessary calm” to stay on top.
Links to other sites: AP, ATP official site, Guardian
