Federer beats Nadal to win final in London

Roger Federer won the season-ending title for the fifth time and laid down a marker for 2011 with a three-set victory over world number one Rafael Nadal in London yesterday.



The 29-year-old's attacking game carried the Swiss to a 6-3, 3-6, 6-1 win in one hour and 37 minutes at the O2 Arena.



Federer's victory ensured that an inconsistent year by his standards was highlighted by wins at the Australian Open in January and now the ATP World Tour Finals in November.



Nadal had been hoping to land the only significant title to so far elude him but a three-hour semi-final against Andy Murray on Saturday looked to have taken the edge off his game, and Federer proved the stronger in the closing stages.