After capping another breathtaking season with his fourth Tennis Masters Cup title in five years, world number one Roger Federer said that he was happy with this season and eyed another productive season next year.

The 26-year-old Swiss, having already won the finale in 2003, 2004 and 2006, destroyed debutant David Ferrer 6-2, 6-3, 6-2 in the final in only one hour and 37 minutes on Sunday.

Only three players - Ilie Nastase, Ivan Lendl and Pete Sampras - have won the circuit finale four or more times, with Nastase winning it four times (1971, 1972, 1973, 1975), Lendl winning five times (1981, 1982, 1985, 1986, 1987) and most recently Sampras winning five times (1991, 1994, 1996, 1997, 1999).

"I'm really happy, especially the way the year has been going. It's been a breakthrough year for me, especially the way I played in the beginning of the year, not losing a set during the Australian Open," said Federer, who ended his fourth consecutive year as the No. 1 player in the world.

"Then beating Nadal for the first time on clay. I've beaten all my closest rivals, including Nadal and Djokovic, more times than they've beaten me.

"It's been one of those years which I'm really, really happy about. Maybe I didn't win 10 titles, but it's not necessary to stay No. 1 in the world all the time.

"If I keep this level of play up, I'm in a great position for next season as well."

Federer finished the season with a 65-9 record. He won eight titles including his third Australian Open, fifth consecutive Wimbledon and fourth consecutive US Open. For the third time in his career he won three Grand Slam titles in the same season.

"I have now a trophy room since a short time. I am happy about putting all the Grand Slam titles together, all the Masters series together, like the awards I've received.

"People think I don't care about, but it's not true. It's something that's a great recognition for me."

Playing before a capacity crowd at the noisy Qizhong Tennis Stadium and under the backdrop of the sound of Swiss cow bells and Spanish trumpet, Federer improved his unbeaten record against Ferrer to 8-0 lifetime.

The in-form Ferrer never really tested Federer, who seemed to be in a class of his own, needing only 62 minutes to wrap up the first two sets.

Three break points in the first game of the third was the hardest moment for the Swiss, who later fended off all of them. After that, Federer never looked back and sealed the victory with a forehand.

After his 70th career final, Federer improved his record in title matches to 53-17. He is 4-1 in Masters Cup finals, losing the 2005 title match to David Nalbandian in a fifth-set tie-break.

"I come into the finals obviously with a lot of confidence. Once you make it there you always feel good about your chances.

"I struggled a little bit on clay in finals against Nadal, which upset my record a little bit. But on any other surfaces, I have an unbelievable record.
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"I took advantage of my chances when I usually get them. In the most important matches I'm the toughest. That's been a big strength of mine in the past."

(Xinhua News Agency November 19, 2007)