Roger Federer wins the ATP Shanghai Masters (6-3, 6-4) after a perfect match against Rafael Nadal. The greatest tennis players of our era have shown again why they are living legends. The Swiss Maestro was dominant from beginning to the end with the Spaniard feeling frustrated after his rival didn't allow him to stay in his comfort zone. The match was a display of pure tennis as the two players used all their best shots to put on a great show for the Chinese crowd. Federer hit 10 aces throughout the match and didn't face the threat of saving a break point as his service game was impeccable - a key factor for his victory.

The two were in dominant form all throughout the tournament and the final was a spectacular show as we expected.

Annihilation of Rafa's tactics

The match was dominated by Roger Federer. He knew that he couldn't allow time to Rafael Nadal's shots and the main objective was to end Rafa's 16 unbeaten match streak. It wasn't going to be easy as Nadal was victorious at the US Open and Beijing and his game showed consistency, his shots had the right depth and his serve and volley game was top-class. Federer put his foot on the pedal from the first second and reminded Rafa why he was the winner in the previous meetings in Melbourne, Indian Wells and Miami.

As the official website of ATP points out, the backhand crosses and the powerful and well-placed forehands generated headaches for the ATP leader as the break came in the first game of the match. On top of that, add an 83% service points won in the first set and only four points lost by Roger on his serve. The early break was enough for a 36-minute first set.

Nadal didn't change his tactic throughout the second set trying to alternate topspin shots with flat shots but Federer's backhand was on fire as this shot seems to be the most improved one of the year. Time after time, it was Rafa who tried to hit slices and changing his shot direction to Roger's forehand but the result was the same.

Federer had an answer to each shot, his forehand cross found angles that will represent picks for the tournament's hot-shots compilation. Again, only four points lost on his serve, three aces and a 50% break point conversion rate. Roger adds ATP Shanghai Masters to his five 2017 titles and narrows the gaps in the ATP Race to London. Scintillating tennis from the Swiss Maestro and an eagerly anticipated end of the year.

Four aces in a game

Federer forgot that he was Nadal's best friend in Laver Cup and he showed no mercy in the sixth game of the match. Roger served four aces in a row in the same service game and the standing ovation came for the Swiss Maestro.

On top of that, he served a fifth consecutive ace in the next service game and won the first set in style after a dominant serve display.
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