|
 |
|
Swiss Roger Federer returns a backhand to Australia's Lleyton Hewitt during
the men's final at the Tennis Masters Cup at
the Westside Tennis Club in Houston, Texas.
[Agencies] |
World number one
Roger Federer capped one of the finest seasons in tennis history by
successfully defending his Masters Cup crown with a devastating 6-3, 6-2 final
win over Lleyton Hewitt on Sunday.
The 23-year-old Swiss collected a first prize of $1.52 million and a
new luxury car and now heads for a well-earned holiday to savor a memorable campaign during which he
lifted 11 titles, including the Wimbledon, US and Australian Open grand
slams.
"This is a wonderful end for me," Federer said. "This has been an
incredible season, a great, fantastic season.
After a day of steady rain that threatened to delay the match until
Monday and shortened the season finale from a best-of-five to best-of-three sets
encounter, Federer put on a sparkling display to speed to victory in just
over an hour.
The win was Federer's 22nd in a row against a top-10 ranked opponent, a
run stretching back to last year's Masters Cup. Six of those victories
have come at Hewitt's expense this season, including a straight-sets
thrashing in the final of the US Open.
Having not played since straining his left thigh preparing for his home
tournament in Basel a month ago, Federer's fitness had been the big
question mark hanging over the event. Federer, though, proved he was back
to his sublime best by sweeping into the final.
 Hewitt was also playing his best tennis since winning
back-to-back Masters titles in 2001 and 2002, and with one last chance of
taking revenge on the Swiss, the fiery Australian did not lack for
motivation.
Rain delayed the start by three hours but did nothing to dull Federer,
who won the opening game to love before breaking Hewitt with a stinging
forehand winner to go 2-0 up.
The Federer express stalled when rain again swept over the Westside
Tennis Club to send the players to the locker room with the world number
one leading 5-2. Returning to the court an hour and 17 minutes later,
Federer quickly wrapped up the set.
The Swiss held three break points at the start of the second set but
Hewitt would not go down without a fight, tenaciously holding serve.
Federer then stormed to victory by reeling off the last five games,
including two breaks, to secure his second Masters title.
"He doesn't give you any cheap points," said Hewitt. "He's very tough,
he's got great rhythm.
(Agencies) | 
Updated: 2004-11-23 09:18