Federer breaks the ice with first Paris indoor title

By Bill Scott Nov 13, 2011, 17:03 GMT

Paris - Roger Federer added the Paris Masters to his impressive list of tournament titles, winning 6-1, 7-6 (7-3) over Jo-Wilfried Tsonga as he played his 99th career final on Sunday. 'I'm just really ecstatic to have played so well this week from start to finish,' said the Swiss. 'I couldn't be more happy.

'I've had many attempts trying to win Paris Bercy, and for some reason I wasn't able to. This one obviously feels great, it's a special victory, for sure.'

The victory in just under 90 minutes was a blow to home hopes as 2008 Bercy arena champion Tsonga was unable to get by the 16-time Grand Slam champion who has now own his last 12 games since returning from a six-week autumn break.

Frenchman have played in the last four Bercy finals, with only Tsonga managing the only win in 2008.

Federer emerged as a major threat to defend his year-end World Tour Finals title in London starting in a week after backing up his Basle title last week with his Paris breakthrough.

The Swiss moved closer to Andy Murray, who sent him to fourth in the world a month ago. It will come down to London play to determine who ends the year on third.

'This has all worked out perfectly, I'm going into London with great confidence,' said Federer, suffering with a cold picked up form his children and heading home to Switzerland for a few rest days.

'I just hope I won't feel too bad the next few days, because I'm already a little sick right now. I'm sure I can get through the next few days, and hopefully start London strongly.

Federer is the first man since Andre Agassi to win both the French Open and the cross-town indoor event.

The 30-year-old also moved up to second in the list of Masters 1000 winners as he claimed his 18th, one less than Rafael Nadal. He now owns 69 trophies.

Federer joked afterwards that his preparation was not the best due to his toddler twin girls. 'I woke up at 4 am this morning because of my kids climbed into the bed. '

'That's certainly not the best preparation.'

Federer stands 4-2 in 2011 over Tsonga, who said his three-hour battle the day before against John Isner in the semis did not affect his fitness.

'I was feeling good, and I had a different type of player today. I knew that I needed to play a very great match if I wanted to win today, and I was not able to do that.

'But anyway, during the whole week I didn't play that well, I was not playing my best tennis. Maybe I played a little bit better today, but against Roger, of course, it doesn't work. It's not enough.'

Federer has gone through the past fortnight with the loss of just one set, that coming in Basle against Jarkko Nieminen.

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