Roger Federer won five matches this week in Shanghai to win the Tennis Masters Cup, the year-end tour championship. Along the way he bested Andy Roddick (coming back from match points down!), nemesis Rafael Nadal, and--in today's final--James Blake.
The semifinal victory over Nadal was a critical result. The young Spaniard had a tremendous start to 2006, beating Federer in four finals and pushing him even on grass in the title match at Wimbledon. It looked like Rafa might play the role of spoiler as the Swiss star aimed to finish at #1 for the third straight year. But Nadal had a disappointing summer and fall and Federer has been nearly flawless, losing just once since Roland Garros in June.
