Roger Federer clinched his sixth title of the year after defeating world number one, Rafael Nadal in the Shanghai masters on Saturday.

The 36 – year – old Swiss, who has lost only four times in 2017 was in a menacing form as he overran the Spaniard 6 – 4, 6 – 3 in 72 minutes. Federer now has his fourth win of the year against Nadal and the fifth in succession over the Spainard, cutting his deficit to Nadal to 23 – 15.

This victory for Federer, a 19 – time Grand Slam winner moves him to level with Ivan Lendl in terms of open era titles with only American Jimmy Connor having more.

The Shanghai masters final was the 24th meeting in a final between the world’s top two tennis players.  Federer is touted to be the only man who can deny Nadal the number one spot on the  ATP rankings at the end of the year.