Roger Federer beats Rafael Nadal to claim fifth ATP season-ending crown and fifth title of the season

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Victory parade ... world No.2 Roger Federer shows off his trophy after beating Spain's Rafael Nadal in the final at the ATP World Tour Finals. Source: AFP

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Dazzling ... a fired-up Roger Federer shows how much victory over arch-rival Rafael Nadal means to him. Source: AP

Contesting his 94th career final, Federer ended the season as he he started it - in triumph - as January's Australian Open champion closed the season in style.

Federer joined Pete Sampras and Ivan Lendl as a five-time winner of the ATP season-ending titles with an emphatic 6-3, 3-6, 6-1 win over world No. 1 Rafal Nadal.

Federer's elation was obvious as he waltzed to his 66th career title against an opponent who has made his life misery over the past three seasons.

The Swiss genius had previously won this event in Houston (2003 and '04) and Shanghai (2006 and '07).

But this was the most special of all as the winners of 21 of the past 23 majors squared off for bragging rights ahead of January's Australian Open.

The win was especially significant for Federer given he had lost six of his previous seven encounters with reigning French, Wimbledon and US champion Nadal.

And it was a typically complete performance from Federer as he succeeded in 97 minutes.

From the outset, Nadal mercilessly targeted Federer's supposedly weaker backhand - and paid the price.

The Swiss master ripped a string of a glorious winners crosscourt and was more than content to anchor himself in the backhand corner.

Nadal spied the first opening in the seventh game when Federer fell behind 0-30 - but the door closed as quickly as it opened.

And when Federer sensed Nadal's growing anxiety in the following game, he acted on impulse.

At deuce, he pounded a forehand down the line to create a break point and converted with a searing backhand crosscourt to seal the set after 32 minutes.

With the match in danger of slipping away, Nadal conjured a trademark recovery to stall Federer's momentum with a service break in the fourth game of the second set.

As Federer came slightly off the boil, Nadal continued to lift, sweeping to a 5-2 margin.

The Spaniard pocketed the set after 34 minutes to level an enthralling contest, before Federer again took control.

The world No. 2 achieved a vital break to lead 3-1 and cemented the advantage for 4-1 - and when Nadal erred again in the sixth game the match was over.

Canadian Daniel Nestor and Serb Nenad Zimonjic defeated Indian Mahesh Bhupathi and Max Mirnyi, of Belarus, in the doubles final 7-6 (8-6), 6-4.

It was a fitting close to Nestor and Zimonjic's partnership in a season where the pair collected the French Open title.

Nestor wil partner Mirnyi next season while Zimonjic will team with Frenchman Michael Llodra.