Roger Federer defeats Rafael Nadal in Shanghai Masters final

Wimbledon champion Roger Federer beat world number one Rafael Nadal 6-4 6-3 in the Shanghai Masters last to catch his 6th title of the year.

Only Jimmy Connors, who won titles from 1971-88, has won more matches in the Open era than Federer

The 36-year-old Swiss, who has lost just four times in 2017, was again in imperious frame as he won in 72 minutes.

It was his fourth win of the year against Nadal and his fifth in progression over the Spaniard.

Federer let go 10 pros, and the 19-time Grand Slam champ's 94th profession title slice his shortfall against Nadal to 23-15.

It moves him level with Ivan Lendl as far as Open time titles, with just American Jimmy Connors (109) having more.

The Swiss survived a stern test against Argentine Juan Martin del Potro to win 3 6-3 6-3 in just shy of two hours in Saturday's semi-last.

It was the 24th meeting in a last between the world's best two, and with the rooftop again shut on account of rain in Shanghai, Federer constructed a 4-2 lead on the way to winning the opening set.

There was little between them in the early trades of the second set until the urgent fifth diversion.

Nadal, champ of the US Open and China Open, spared the primary break point however couldn't survive the second as Federer surged to a moment Shanghai Masters crown.

Federer is the main man who can deny Nadal the main positioning toward the finish of the year, however he said the ATP Finals at London's 02 Arena one month from now was his principle center.

"I'll go home and we will work out where I play next - Basel, Paris, one of those or none, before I go to London, which is my need," said Federer.

"World number one I don't think will happen yet in the event that I play like this possibly I'll draw near, who knows?"