Federer finally grabs first Shanghai Masters title with straight-sets win over Simon

17-time Grand Slam champion Roger Federer claimed straight-sets victory over unseeded Frenchman Gilles Simon to bag his first Shanghai Masters title.

The Swiss world number three let out a huge roar after Simon hit a forehand into the net to give him a 7-6 (8-6), 7-6 (7-2) victory. Federer said that to win the biggest tournament in Asia is a treat.

Federer, who lost in 2010 final to Briton Andy Murray, said that he got lucky to come through the first round after saving five match points, and added that it has been a dream week, The BBC reported.

Federer, who beat world number one Novak Djokovic on his way to the final, won the opening set with his only backhand winner down the line. Simon led 6-5 in the second set and had two set points but two unforced errors allowed Federer a way back and the 17-time Grand Slam winner took advantage.

For Simon, who went off court for a medical time-out after the first set, it was a second defeat in a Masters final, having lost in Madrid to Murray in 2008. He matched Federer for much of the match from the baseline but the Swiss dominated when he came to the net, winning 24 of 35 points.

In both tiebreaks Federer played aggressively and he set up four championship points with a blistering cross-court forehand return, the report added.