All things come to an end, and that is nearly the end of the ATP tour season, as the final 1000 Masters series event has come to a close at the BNP Paribas Masters in Paris. In the final Roger Federer took on the previous champion Jo-Wilfried Tsonga for a chance to lift his first Paris trophy.
So more on the actual match, in the first set, Federer proved once again to be totally dominant, as he raced past Tsonga, breaking early on and winning the set in 6-1. The second set was however more tightly contested as Tsonga held serve, and also had a chance to break Federer at 4-3 on Fedora's serve, however Tsonga overcooked his shots and missed the boat. Tsonga continued to hold serve and push the set to a tiebreak, but in the tie, it was the ol Swiss maestro that came out on top, as he won the tiebreak, set and match to clinch his first Paris Masters title (well there is a first for everything!), the final score reading 6-1, 7-6(3).
You could tell right from the start of this match that there really would be only one winner as Federer, having come back into the game after his rest, has been on top form, and the rest has left him fresh and fit, as well as giving him a chance to play some of his best tennis. Tsonga however did well to take the second set to a tiebreak, but ultiamtely he had no stanglehold over Federer, and when it came to the break points, Federer was able to save them. Regardless of the loss though Tsonga has had an excellent season and return to form as well as to the top 10, where he belongs and he has opportunity ahead of him at the o2 arena next week. And it was good to see how much the win meant to Federer also, as he nearly shed a tear after the win, and its also his biggest title win this year. So big well done to Fed, and its good to see him back into winning in the big tournaments again this year, even though the BNP Paribas Paris Masters trophy is an ugly looking thing that resembles a black spider on a brick!
And with that, all is left for the season is the ATP World Tour Finals, which takes place next Sunday at the o2 Arena in London, and there is a very strong set up for the top 8, as we have Djokovic, Nadal, Murray, Federer, Ferrer, Berdych, Tsong and Fish. Its quite a list of players and it promises to be a great finale to a terrific year of tennis. Out of that lot you really would have to favour one of the top four to lift the title, but you can never write off the bottom four's chances either (just look at Delpo and Davydenko two years ago who both got to the final two years ago, with Denko winning as none of the other top guys had a look in). And its hard to call a favourite to win, as I said Federer in his current form stands a strong chance, and with the extra preparation and time out, you can never dismiss Nadal either, and there is also that Serbian chap who has had the year of his life, and has been lifting nearly every trophy in sight. And of course there is Andy Murray, who has so far only got as far as the semi finals at the ATP World Finals, like he did last year in that amazing match against Nadal when he fell in a nail bitingly close battle. It would also be the biggest title of his career if he can win, and I hope he does, but the field is so strong, I have to say the other three guys might stand a better chance.
But we'll soon find out, and it promises to be a great end to a stellar year in the sport.
That's it for now.
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