He started off with an ace and ended the match with a point gifted from an unforced error by a flabbergasted Blake, who seemed to be there more to witness 'history written', as Etienne de Villiers put it, than to clinch a victory. In the end, the Shanghai Tennis Masters Cup championship of 2006 was concluded with a resounding victory for the number one player of the world, Roger Federer - the majestic 'lion king' from Switzerland.

Taking the first set 6-0, Federer established his superiority over the match from the very start. As was his intention throughout the championship, his gameplan consisted of playing Blake at his own game. The difference between the two players were the accuracy of the shots and the quickness off the line on the part of a much-empowered Federer.

That the media touted Federer as the player to eventually oust Bjorn Borg certainly would not have helped Blake's confidence. However, in the second set, the American looked to be putting up a fight before Federer stamped his authority on Blake's fourth service game to take the set 6-3.

Moments when the world number one looked relenting were those when his own mistakes played to Blake's advantage, allowing Blake to claw away 3 games in the second set and 4 in the third. However, at no point in the match did Federer look out of form, let alone vulnerable. The end of the match saw a frustrated Blake accepting the near-flawlessness of arguably the greatest tennis player - Federer had 41 winners to Blake's 18. Federer won 6-0, 6-3, 6-4.

During the ceremony following the match, both players showed much respect for each other, both in their off-stage interactions with each other as well as in their speeches. Blake accepting the outcome in gentlemanly grace and Federer with his renowned humbleness. Federer said his final farewells to this year's tennis season by thanking his girlfriend Mirka whom he credited for his continuing success.

The head-to-head statistics between the two players now stand at 6 wins for Federer and none for Blake. Next year promises both to be one filled with numerous battles between these two great tennis players as well as potentially the moment which sees the crowning of the greatest tennis player of all time: Roger Federer.