The world number 2, the Swiss Roger Federer, ended the winning streak of his great rival, the Spanish number 1 Rafa Nadal, by defeating him (6-4, 6-3) in the final of the Masters 1000 in Shanghai.
The Swiss thus won his sixth trophy of the year, also breaking a streak of 16 consecutive victories for Nadal, including those achieved to win the US Open and the Beijing Tournament recently.
The Swiss was clearly superior in this 38th duel between the two tennis giants, and the balance between the two now reflects a 23-15 still favorable to the Spanish.
On a very fast track, Federer got rid of the 31-year-old Mallorcan in 1 hour and 12 minutes.
For the Swiss tennis player it was the 94th title of his career. This year he brought to his windows the Australian Open and Wimbledon, plus the Masters 1000 in Indian Wells and Miami, as well as the Shanghai one, and the Halle Tournament.
Federer tied Ivan Lendl for the most successful tennis player since 1968, behind only Jimmy Connors (109 titles).
This victory also allows him to harbor hopes of closing the year as world number 1, although Nadal still has a 1960-point advantage.
There will be 3,000 remaining at stake in the last three tournaments: Basel (500), Paris (1000) and the Masters (1500). But if Federer maintains his level and his back does not cause him more problems, he can aspire to everything.
Three years after the 2014 title, the Swiss won again in Shanghai. This is his 27th title at a Masters 1000, a tournament category whose winning record remains in the hands of Nadal and Novak Djokovic, both with 30 trophies.
The Shanghai Tournament was played on a hard surface and distributed nearly six million dollars in prizes (5,100,000 euros).
– Results of the day of the Shanghai tennis tournament:
– Men’s Individual – Final:
Roger Federer (SUI) defeated Rafael Nadal (ESP) 6-4, 6-3. AFP