PETE ZIEBRON
Roger Federer stands alone with 6 World Tour Finals Championships Charles Gabrean Photography
While the rest of the Big Four on the ATP circuit failed to even make the Semifinals of the World Tour Finals, Roger Federer rolled to his 6th Year End Championship today in London, defeating Jo-Wilfried Tsonga 6-2 7-6 (6) 6-4. The win also marked the 17th consecutive win for Federer, the 3rd title in a row and he will move back to #3 in the world with this result.
World number 1 Novak Djokovic, #2 Rafael Nadal and #3 Andy Murray combined for a dismal 2-5 record in round robin play as Federer remained perfect at 5-0 during the 8 day event. Murray pulled out of the event after his initial match, citing a groin injury, Djokovic had to save a Match Point in the only match that he was able to win and Nadal managed to win only 4 games in his lopsided loss to Federer.
Ironically, Federer faced and beat Tsonga for the 3rd consecutive Sunday today, having defeated him in the Final to win the Masters 1000 event in Paris two weeks ago and again last Sunday on the opening day of the World Tour Finals. Federer improved to 8-3 lifetime against Tsonga and 6-2 in 2011.
With today's victory, the 6th World Tour Finals crown for Federer, he surpassed Pete Sampras and Ivan Lendl who each have 5 Year End Championships. The win was also Federer's 70th career title as well as his 100th career Final appearance. Last month, prior to Federer's run of 3 consecutive titles, I was able to talk with Pete Sampras in Surprise, AZ about Federer to get his impressions of where Roger's game stood at the moment.
Pete Sampras: "He's right there. I wouldn't change anything in his game. He's lost some tough matches to Novak this year but beat him at Roland Garros and should have beaten him at the US Open. He's in good hands working with Paul (Annacone)."
Pete Sampras, 5-time World Tour Finals Champion Pete Ziebron Images
Following his US Open Semifinal loss to Djokovic, Federer won 2 Davis Cup matches in Australia and then defeated Kei Nishikori in the Final of the Swiss Indoors 500 in Basel to win the tournament for the 5th time in his career. Next up was the BNP Paribas Masters 1000 at Paris Bercy. Federer had never won this tournament previously in his career despite his preference for its fast surface. This August in Cincinnati, I asked Federer to elaborate on the speed of hard courts and he specifically pointed out that Bercy is the quickest on tour: "Bercy indoors was actually really quick last year - faster than here (Cincinnati). It was like lightning really. Or like back in the day really."
Federer would not drop a set all week long in Paris, defeating Tomas Berdych in the semifinals and Tsonga in the Final. The victory would be his 18th Masters 1000 title, his first at Paris Bercy and his winning streak stood at 12.
Last Sunday to open play at the World Tour Finals, Roger Federer would defeat Jo-Wilfried Tsonga once again for the second time in 8 days. Next he destroyed Rafael Nadal, yielding only 4 games in the process and hit 28 winners compared to only 4 from Nadal. The win guaranteed a spot in the semifinals for Federer and he proceeded to beat Mardy Fish in the last of the round robin matches. In the semifinals yesterday, Federer defeated David Ferrer for the 12th consecutive time in as many efforts to set the Finals meeting with Tsonga, who eliminated Tomas Berdych.
The World Tour Finals is a true test of endurance. The top 8 players of the year are in action against each other and only the strong survive and win. Roger Federer completed the task yet again today - for the 6th time. The only other member of the "Big Four" to win the World Tour Finals is Novak Djokovic, who won in 2008. Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray have yet to win the event.
World Tour Finals Championships:
- Roger Federer 6 (Djokovic 1, Nadal 0, Murray 0)
- Pete Sampras 5 (Agassi 1)
- Ivan Lendl 5
- Ilie Nastase 4
- Boris Becker 3
- John McEnroe 3 (Borg 2, Connors 1)
Despite the fact that Novak Djokovic won 3 Grand Slams in 2011, the spotlight entering 2012 will be on Roger Federer and he looks forward to next season: "I'm happy I'm still strong and healthy and really excited for next year."
Following the US Open, the records of the Big Four are as follows:
- Roger Federer 17-0 (3 titles)
- Andy Murray 17-2 (3 titles)
- Rafael Nadal 8-4 (0 titles)
- Novak Djokovic 6-4 (0 titles)
Comments