WORLD No 1 Roger Federer capped one of the finest seasons in tennis history by successfully defending his Masters Cup title.
Federer won a devastating 6-3, 6-2 final over Lleyton Hewitt on Sunday in Houston, US.
The 23-year-old Swiss collected a first prize of US$1.52 million and a new luxury car. He now heads for a well-earned holiday. He will have time to look back on a memorable season during which he lifted 11 titles, including the Wimbledon, US and Australian Open grand slam titles.
“This is a wonderful end for me,” said Federer. “This has been an incredible season, a great, fantastic season.
“It's a fairy-tale ending, to leave for vacation with great feelings and great memories as well.”
After a day of steady rain that threatened to delay the match until Monday, Federer sped to victory in just over an hour.
The win was Federer's 22nd in a row against a top-10 ranked opponent, a run stretching back to last year's Masters Cup.
Six of those victories have come at Hewitt's expense this season, including a straight-sets thrashing in the final of the US Open.
Having not played since straining his left thigh preparing for a tournament in Basel, Switzerland a month ago, Federer's fitness was a source of much speculation before the event started.
Federer, though, proved he was back to his very best by sweeping into the final.
Federer won a devastating 6-3, 6-2 final over Lleyton Hewitt on Sunday in Houston, US.
The 23-year-old Swiss collected a first prize of US$1.52 million and a new luxury car. He now heads for a well-earned holiday. He will have time to look back on a memorable season during which he lifted 11 titles, including the Wimbledon, US and Australian Open grand slam titles.
“This is a wonderful end for me,” said Federer. “This has been an incredible season, a great, fantastic season.
“It's a fairy-tale ending, to leave for vacation with great feelings and great memories as well.”
After a day of steady rain that threatened to delay the match until Monday, Federer sped to victory in just over an hour.
The win was Federer's 22nd in a row against a top-10 ranked opponent, a run stretching back to last year's Masters Cup.
Six of those victories have come at Hewitt's expense this season, including a straight-sets thrashing in the final of the US Open.
Having not played since straining his left thigh preparing for a tournament in Basel, Switzerland a month ago, Federer's fitness was a source of much speculation before the event started.
Federer, though, proved he was back to his very best by sweeping into the final.