By Daniel Jackson
Roger Federer has won the ATP World Tour Finals in London after beating Jo-Wilfried Tsonga of France 6-3 6-7 6-3 in the final. It is the sixth time he has claimed the end of season title and his 70th career title overall. It is a quite remarkable achievement as the man from Switzerland continues to live up to his accolade as a player, who is widely considered to be the best to ever have played the game. The victory means he is still unbeaten since the US Open in September and he can look forward to taking his recent good form into the New Year after his first season without a Grand Slam title since 2002.
Federer won the first set with relative ease and looked to be cruising to the title as he served for the match in the second set. But there was a twist yet as a dogged display from Tsonga saw him break back and take the Swiss to a deciding set after edging it in a tie break. Tsonga battled on but Federer proved too strong with his vast experience in finals and nerves of steel; and eventually took the third set 6-3 to land himself the trophy.
It was a welcome ending to a tough season for Federer who has seen Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic steer ahead of him for the majority of the season.
‘It feels very special indeed’ commented the 30 year old Swiss. ‘I know it’s one of my greatest accomplishments. It was the strongest finish to a season I’ve ever had in my career. Right now I’m happy the season is over. It has been long and it has been gruelling, but I’m happy I’m still strong and healthy. I’m really excited for next year, I’m upbeat about what’s to come.’
