Roger Federer defeats world number one Rafael Nadal to win the Shanghai Masters

Roger Federer has extended his winning streak over Rafael Nadal to five matches after brushing his rival off the court in the final of the Shanghai Masters on Sunday.

The world number two smashed aside world number one Nadal 6-4 6-3 to win the Shanghai Masters making it his fourth victory of the year over his Spanish rival.

The Swiss had beaten Nadal in the finals of the Australian Open and Miami Masters and in the last 16 at Indian Wells, and never looked likely of losing to his long-time rival, firing 10 aces as he cruised to victory.

Roger Federer’s win over Rafael Nadal keeps his chances alive of finishing 2017 as world No. 1, despite choosing to skip the French Open, took an hour and 12 minutes to claim his sixth title of the year with a clinical performance.

Despite the ratings importance of his win, Federer said after the game he is not thinking about his hopes of snatching the No. 1 ranking before the season-ending ATP event.

I’m not thinking about it. I just try to be healthy now, he said.

I’ll go back to Switzerland tomorrow with my team and decide what I’m going to play, whether I’ll go to Basel and Paris. I’m focused on London and winning there. If I play like this, maybe, who knows I’ll get close to it.

He said there is no secret behind his run of five straight wins over Nadal.

Not playing so much on clay,” he said, when asked how he’s turned their rivalry on its head.

That’s helpful, to avoid the entire claycourt season. With the bigger racket head sizes, I’m not slicing as much. I’m staying on the baseline, dictating points. My heads screwed on the right way as I haven’t had to get it round any losses on clay too.