London, England (Sports Network) - Reigning two-time year-end No. 1 Novak
Djokovic defeated six-time event champion Roger Federer in Monday's marquee
finale at the season-ending ATP World Tour Finals.
Djokovic captured the title for the second time in five years by besting the
second-seeded former No. 1 Federer in 7-6 (8-6), 7-5 fashion on the indoor
hardcourt at The O2 Arena.
"It's an extreme honor for me to be here with Roger," Djokovic said. "It's
been a fantastic season."
Federer owns a record six titles at this prestigious eight-man tournament,
including 2010 and last year, when he topped Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in
the final in London.
The 31-year-old Federer jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first set on Monday,
including a break in the second game, but Djokovic fought back in a stanza
that would eventually go to a tiebreak.
Federer saved a set point in the tiebreak by capping a world-class rally with
a gorgeous cross-court forehand winner, much to the amazement of an
appreciative Djokovic.
The 25-year-old Serbian star, however, would eventually convert on a third set
point to take the lead on Day 8.
The equally as tight second set saw Djokovic break Federer in the final game,
as the athletic Serb struck a wonderful two-handed backhand winner to end the
match -- the final match for long-time chair umpire Lars Graff of Sweden.
The high-quality affair ended in 2 hours, 14 minutes, and featured eight aces
by Federer and four breaks by the deserving champion Djokovic.
Djokovic, who also won this tournament in 2008 in Shanghai, secured his 34th
career title. He went 6-5 in his 2012 finals, including an Australian Open
title and runner-up finishes at the French and U.S. Opens.
The 17-time Grand Slam king Federer was trying for a bit of history on
Monday, as he was gunning for his 77th career ATP title, which would have
tied him with John McEnroe for third place on the men's all-time list. Only
Jimmy Connors (109) and Ivan Lendl (94) have won more titles in the Open
Era (1968).
The Swiss superstar, who settled for six titles in 10 finals in 2012, was
trying to become the first man since Lendl in 1987 to win the season-ending
tournament three straight years. Federer is now 76-34 in his career title
matches.
The seven-time Wimbledon champion Federer dropped to 16-13 lifetime against
Djokovic, who won three of their five meetings this season.
Djokovic claimed $1.76 million as an undefeated champion this week, while
Federer collected $800,000 with his runner-up status. Federer also lost in the
2005 Tour Finals final in Shanghai. The Swiss great won this event back-to-
back in 2003 and 2004, 2006 and 2007, and 2010 and 2011.
The Sports Network