Federer beats Nadal in summit clash, ends 2010 on a high

Roger Federer celebrates after beating Rafael Nadal to clinch the World Tour Finals title at the O2 Arena in London last night. Pic/Getty Images

Federer takes home a cheque for 1.63 million dollars as well as 1,500 ranking points but, far more importantly, he ended the year by scoring a significant victory over his biggest rival and, in the process, emphasised that he is still as hungry for success as ever.

It was Federer's first triumph in the prestigious end-of-season event since 2007 and his dominant form in the English capital this week suggests Nadal will face a renewed challenge for the sport's top prizes next year.

Nadal has enjoyed the best season of his career over the last 12 months and he shone again this week, but even he had no answer to Federer, the world number two, at his breath-taking best.

Federer is now level with Ivan Lendl and Pete Sampras on a joint-record five Tour Finals titles and he said: "I've really enjoyed playing here this week, it's been a wonderful atmosphere once again.

Amazing
"I haven't spoilt Rafa's vacation! He's had an amazing year, one any player dreams of."

Nadal added: "I want to congratulate Roger. He played unbelievable throughout the whole week. It was a fantastic year for me, probably the most emotional of my career."

The old rivals' showdown here was the perfect way to end a season in which Nadal had dethroned Federer as world number one and also regained the French Open and Wimbledon titles from the Swiss star.

Nadal had won 14 of their previous 21 meetings, of which 18 had been finals, and the most famous of those was also their last in London, back in 2008, when Nadal triumphed in five sets to win his first Wimbledon title in a match widely regarded as the best of all time.

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