Federer Beats Nadal to Win Fifth ATP World Tour Finals Championship

Anchor: World No. 2 Roger Federer of Switzerland has beaten top-ranked Spaniard Rafael Nadal 6-3, 3-6, 6-1 to win this year's ATP World Tour Finals Championship. It's the fifth time the Swiss has reaped the title. CRI London correspondent Tu Yun has more.

This was the first time since 1986 that the world's top two had played in the final of the season-ending finale. More than 20 thousand spectators in the O2 Arena witnessed the moment.

Federer, who claimed the Australian Open title early in the year and failed to reach the finals of other three Grand Slams, said this victory's important for him.

"We love this event and it's as important as any other tournament around the world. For me to come out and play and save my best tennis for last is an amazing feeling. I played from start to finish fantastic tennis and couldn't be more happy right now."

Federer equaled Ivan Lendl and Pete Sampras to achieve the tour final victories five times.

The Spaniard said the Swiss was unstoppable.

"What I feel is I lost the match because I played against a very good Roger Federer, in one of his favorite phrases. And when he's playing this he's very difficult to stop him now."

Nadal, who rose from an 11-month title drought in the middle of the year, claimed three major championships including the US Open for the first time this year.

"In general it was a very emotional season for me. I'm very happy and just can say thank you very much to all the people that supported me all the time when I had difficult moments, when I was winning, all the sponsors that keep having confidence in me."

With both players back to their best form, people are expecting a Nadal-Federer domination next year. Or will we?

"I think tennis, the men's game, is at an absolute high right now, with a lot of exciting games being played, with a lot of respect. Also, I think having had me and Rafa both make the career Grand Slam already at a young age. I think is great for the game. We're obviously playing not only for ourselves and beating the other guys, but also for history. I think there's a lot at stake always in all our matches we play in the future. I think it's wonderful."

For CRI, I'm Tu Yun reporting from London.