There are only four more days until the start of the Barclay’s ATP World Tour Finals at the O2 Arena in London. As part on of the countdown, WorldTennisMagazine.com is presenting a special look at some of the best moments in the history of the season-ending ATP championships, courtesy of the book ON THIS DAY IN TENNIS HISTORY ($19.95, New Chapter Press, www.TennisHistoryBook.com). Each day, WorldTennisMagazine.com will present the anniversaries of some of the best matches from the event.
ON THIS DAY IN TENNIS HISTORY – November 18
2007 – Roger Federer wins the year-end Tennis Masters Cup for a fourth time, defeating surprise finalist David Ferrer of Spain 6-2, 6-3, 6-2 in Shanghai, China. The title is Federer’s 53rd of his career and his eighth on the season, which for the third time, sees him win three of the four major tournaments (Australian Open, Wimbledon and the U.S. Open.) Says Federer. “It was a nice victory, especially proving it, to myself and the world, that I can do it over and over again. This is the year-end tournament that only the best can make it to…I practiced hard to get (to) this level. So when it all comes together in a final like today against Ferrer – it’s fantastic.”
1990 – Twenty-year-old Andre Agassi defeats defending champion and world No. 1 Stefan Edberg 5-7, 7-6, 7-5, 6-2 in 3 hours, 15 minutes to win the year-end ATP Tour Championships, played in Frankfurt, Germany. Says Agassi, “It’s unbelievable to accomplish this at my age. It’s very special. I am proud. There is no question that this is the high point of my career.” The tournament is played for the first time in Germany after a 13-year stint at Madison Square Garden in New York City.
2001 – Twenty-year-old Lleyton Hewitt dominates Sebastien Grosjean 6-3, 6-3, 6-4 to win the year-end ATP Masters Cup in Sydney. Grosjean actually hits significantly more winners than Hewitt in the championship match – 31 to Hewitt’s 12 – but also registers 47 unforced errors.
2006- James Blake upsets defending champion David Nalbandian 6-4, 6-1 to advance to the final of the year-end Tennis Masters Cup in Shanghai, China, one of the biggest wins of his career. The win allows Blake to finish the season as the No. 4 ranked player in the world and the No. 1 American – ahead of friend and Davis Cup teammate Andy Roddick.. Roger Federer defeats rival Rafael Nadal 6-4, 7-5 in the other semifinal.