Day 8: Final: Federer v Tsonga Tennis: World Tour Finals

London is no stranger to history. Everywhere there are monuments to

the past. This scene of the coronation of kings and Queen's,

the home of the mother of Parliaments. Today it will witness

a little bit of sporting history. Behind this door is a man who is

about to play his 100 Korea final. He is looking for his 70th career

title and should he achieved that it would be an historic 6 win in

this event. Behind this door is a young Frenchman who, if he triumphs,

will become the first player from his nation to win this prestigious

end-of-season tonight. If you have a feeling of deja-vu today, it is

no surprise because this is the third meeting between Roger Federer

and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in London this year. Tsonga came from two

sets down to beat Federer in a dramatic Wimbledon quarter-final.

The upset of the tournament! only last Sunday Roger defeated Jo-

Wilfried here at the O2 Arena as he embarked on the quest for that six

a Masters crown. Federer is off to a winning start at the O2! So, now,

we end as we began, and on this great stage, will it be the ballet

of Federer or the jive of Tsonga? Whatever the outcome, history will

be made. Good afternoon. That is what we are

looking forward to at the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals but before we

look ahead to that I would like to say how shocked and deeply saddened

all of us here at BBC Sport and a question of sport were to here of

the debt of the Welsh manager Gary Speed earlier today. Tim and Andrew

are with me, I know that Andrew knew Gary very well, as I did, he

was on a question of sport and many occasions, he was a terrific man to

work with and our thoughts are with his family and friends at this time.

Looking ahead to this match, Federer against Tsonga, it might

not be the final everyone thought it would be, but they have been the

two players in form since the US Open. Very much so and these are

probably the favourite conditions for most players. Federer, his

track record speaks for itself, and the way that Tsonga has played and

the type of tennis he plays, I think he can make life

uncomfortable for Federer. You go back one week to last Sunday, I

think Federer was fortunate to come through in the third set. He

dominated that dead set, Tsonga was able to reply in the second set --

dominated the first set. Tsonga can take Federer out of his comfort

zone. Andrew, we talked about Federer yesterday so let's talk

about Jo-Wilfried today. He came through a good match yesterday,

defeating Tomas Berdych. Yes, and it was comfortable. He had a couple

of lapses, but he was not punished in the second set and always looked

like he would win. He said in the press conference, we are going to

get this done and then go on a massive party. He is looking

forward to the end of the season. He has all of the firepower to make

the guys ahead of him in the rankings have a nightmare, and that

is why this is such an interesting final because he can take the match

away from it. He is a great personality, that is what the crowd

love, though celebrations. That's hear what he said after the match

when he was asked about facing a familiar foe today.

Three consecutive Sundays versus Federer. You lost in two sets the

first set -- the first Sunday, three sets the second Sunday, what

you expect in the third Sunday? expect to win, of course. It is all

the time really exciting to play against Roger. It is going to be

really special here for my first final here. And it's going to be an

amazing atmosphere, I think, at the court, and I'm sure I will respect

Roger, but play my best tennis. Will there be part of you, because

it is your last match of the year, that will just want to seize the

moment, just go for it and see what happens? Anyway, I will give

everything. If I have to break my toe to win, I will do it, for sure!

I note it's the last match, so I will give it everything and I know

right after that it is the party, so it is good.

It would be a much happier party if he won today, that is the shot. I

say a familiar foe, they have met in the last three Sundays in a row,

but have met on 10 occasions so far. This is their 8th meeting of the

year. They must know each other's game so well. They obviously know

each other's games, but I think the start will be important. When you

watched Federer against Ferrer yesterday, Federer got off to a

shaky start but you never felt Ferrer had the firepower to trouble

him. If Federer gets off to a slow start and Sunday is firing, if he

gets an early lead, he could make Federer uncomfortable -- and Tsonga

is firing. I think the first half an hour is going to be critical in

the outcome of the match. Let's take you back, you were there at

Wimbledon and saw this great match, this great comeback from Tsonga at

Wimbledon in the quarter-final against Federer. It was unheard of,

it was so surprising to see. There was absolutely nothing that Federer

could do, he did not look animated at times in the last three sets but

stronger only lost one serve in the opening service game -- but Tsonga

and only lost one serve. I will say song that has served more aces this

year than anybody else, and that is a key shots today. If he keeps

Federer off-balance like at Wimbledon we could be looking at

tie-breaks all the way. He is an offensive force. It is like he

believed in himself after that. We talk about him having great

potential and it is still a bit up and down. He has got that French

flair, and when he is on he is fantastic. There can be a few

lapses in concentration where his form dips a bit, but given the

circumstances and the environment of the match, the final match of

the year, an unbelievable atmosphere, 17,500 people in here.

You know he is going to be very intense on every point and go for

it. It is the ideal conditions for him to cause a major upset.

mentioned the serve, he has served 31 aces this week. Is that right

going to get enough chances? That is up to Tsonga. As Federer said

before their first match last Sunday, Tsonga is a man who can win

a match by force and there is nothing you can do. His game plan

is simple, he has to serve great, get a short ball and move into the

net like he has been in the group stages and the semi-final. He has

turned himself into this attacking monster on the court and his

athletic ability, well, we have seen that. Said the match may not

be in Federer's hands. Federer has to keep Tsonga back and it will be

interesting to see how he defends on the backhand and read he gets

enough depth to keep the Frenchman at the back of the courts. Tsonga

has a world ranking of six, and you often can see a dip in form but he

cannot afford that today. He cannot, but it is part of his appeal, part

of his temperament. There has been talk about him not having a coach,

and I think today is a classic example where he does not need a

coach. The game plan is simple, he has to go out there, be aggressive,

go for his shots, serve a high percentage of first serves and when

he has the chance go for his forehand, as Andrew said. If he

does that, no doubt he can make life difficult for Federer. Let's

take you back to the best tennis this week, which came from the

racket of Federer against Nadal. He totally destroyed him. There were a

couple of elements to this. Federer was utterly brilliant, it was a

celebration of his ability with the racket, his enjoyment and

enthusiasm of the sport. Not for him this talk of being stale at the

end of the season, he is enjoying himself. This is his surface, but

Rafa has to rediscover a passion for the game. He practised on clay

today, getting ready for Spain versus Argentina. Rafa was not

great, Roger was on the day and the scoreline reflected its. Rafa's

face, it is all about passion for him and it is missing from his day

him. That is right, he relies on the movement -- it is missing from

his game. He looked flat, and when your opponent is playing right that

it will make things even worse. It was an incredible performance from

Federer, one he has built on to get into the final draw stop from

Rafa's point of view, he will be happy it is a red clay court under

his feet right now. Federer almost knew he was through the group,

because he has not been that dominant since then against Mardy

Fish and yesterday against Ferrer. The Mardy Fish match was a good

match, he was already going through as champion. The match against

Ferrer, he did not played very well. If truth be told, for about three-

quarters of the match, the first set particularly, the real

difficulty on the backhand. He worked his way through the gearbox

and was probably in third or 4th gear towards the end of it. People

have to play better than that today, and that is a challenge for him.

This is not a foregone conclusion. It is not. We heard from Jo-

Wilfried, let's hear now from Roger. This is what he had to say

yesterday after his win. On Sunday it will be your 100

career final. What an amazing achievement that is.

SUE BARKER: But the crowd did not have enough, they went on and on,

they wanted to tell Roger what they thought of him.

I am not sure I want to say the next bit, but you are going for

your six Evert title which would put you out on your own as well.

What does that mean to you? I did not think I would reach 100 finals

in my career, to be honest. You cannot really plan that. But one

thing I can tell his I will not retire after my 100th final.

could be here a while! I knew going into this match I could reach my

100th final, I could win my 70th final at the same time tomorrow. It

is an amazing career I have had, so lucky, I am still standing and

still running. I don't know how I do it, 100 finals and still walking

normally, but I feel healthy, fit and motivated and to be playing at

the highest of levels for so many years and play my 100th final in

London means so much Jimmy. One record after another for this

great champion -- means so much to me. If he wins today he will go top

of this illustrious list. It is an illustrious list. This is an

important event at the end of the year. It used to be called the

Masters, the players sometimes call it that now, now it is the Barclays

ATP World Tour Finals. This is for Champions area. There is one thing

I would say, if anybody is looking for any omens or anything, there

have been 14 times when someone has lost to someone in a group and then

beaten someone in the finals. The person who lost as won eight times

compared to six. The last time it happens was when Federer played in

2005, he lost to David Nalbandian in the final. A minor factor, but

Federer will remember it. But there are a number of players saying, is

the format the right one? It is difficult to play someone early in

the week and then face them in the fine will. It is, but that is what

makes it unique. -- in the final. There are a lot of permutations and

if you lose in the round robin you can still go through. You could win

two matches and still go out. I think they enjoyed the added

opportunity. Tsonga has obviously recovered well from his first lot

and has everything to play for today. The atmosphere is building

here and it was incredible yesterday when Roger walked on to

the court, a standing ovation because he is loved by the crowd.

His enjoyment of hitting a tennis ball is what keeps him out there

despite everything he has achieved. He just still enjoys actually

hitting the tennis ball. How nice is that to see? We have had a lot

of whining and moaning, people are injured so it is coming into focus,

but these two guys have been the best by far this week. A real shame

Murray had to pull out because he could have been involved in this,

but we have got the right find will. We have. As far as Roger is

concerned -- to write final. As far as Roger is concerned, I think

there is a time later in life when he will be looking and be proud.

will be proud. Right now, he has to concentrate on his game plan, his

strategy, the way he wants to serve and where, and dictate from the

baseline. If he does that, everything else will take care of

itself. Let's hear from the two players.

New admitted yesterday you were nervous, how do you feel today? --

You admitted yesterday. I feel good. What do you need to did today to

get the win? Be aggressive and play my best tennis because Roger is a

very good player, may be the best in the world ever, so I have to

play my best tennis. Good luck. SUE BARKER: I was told it was

Annabel Croft doing that into the! Her voice has got a bit deeper

lately -- that interview. Roger is talking now.

You have had a Parade of -- an incredible career, does it get

easier? It is still nerve-racking, but a nice feeling because you are

playing a good tournament and this is the last push, so I hope I can

play a good match. Where will the match be won or lost? It is indoors,

so we all have to be aggressive. Good luck.

So, the players are on their way, and this is a prestigious event,

Tim. We talk about the Grand Slams but this is the next best thing, a

major milestone for Jo-Wilfried. Very much so, those of the top 20,

25 guys. When you start the year, the world or finals are at the back

of your mind. If you can have the results and the big finals, there

is a opportunity to qualify. When you talk about the top eight, it

really is a select and exclusive groups that make this tournament.

Said this is a culmination of a fantastic year and Tsonga will be

looking to try to win it for the first time. We said earlier with

the Tsonga, he is probably the next two could break this top four day

block. You do feel he has the tools in his game -- this top four

deadlock. The first half an hour watching him physically is going to

be amazing today. MC: Jo-Wilfried Tsonga!

MUSIC: "London Calling" by The MC: Ladies and gentlemen, the

holder of six in Grand Slam titles, the five-time year end ATP World

Tour No. 1, playing today in his 100th World Tour final, the

Barclays ATP World Tour Finals defending champion, from

MUSIC: "London Calling" by The Another standing ovation for Roger.

It is interesting looking around the auditorium, so many hundreds of

people went right down to the front to get a picture of him coming on.

This is not just an event, it is their chance in London to come and

see this. It is 250,000 people watching tennis in Great Britain in

November. In the old days we had the National's at Telford. Let me

tell you, we did not get 250,000 people up there. 250 x match and

that was a good day! -- 250! And we have two more years and after that,

I guess an announcement will be made soon, but fingers crossed for

London because it is brilliant. This is a fantastic arena for

tennis, isn't it? It is amazing. Andrew was talking about how much

better -- how much Federer likes to hit tennis balls, I guess he likes

to get a reception like that when he comes on the court, pretty

impressive! UMPIRE: two weeks ago in Paris, Jo-

Wilfried when the coin toss. Last Sunday, Roger won the trying was.

This is the decider. Roger, heads or tails -- the Roger won the

SUE BARKER: They may have split the coin toss, but Roger won both

matches. There have been busy in recent weeks, Jo-Wilfried winning

in Paris, Roger has been on a winning streak. They have been able

to him built their momentum and have been in great shape physically,

so credit to their fitness trainers. Roger obviously have the big break

after the US Open which I think was key for him so he had a chance to

get away from the game, rest up, and I'm sure that is the reason he

has finished so strong. Tsonga has played a lot more after the US Open,

he has had great results but I think he has been able to ride the

wave of momentum coming in here, and what a great way it would be to

finish this year, with the World Tour finals. And as far as this man

is concerned, Jo-Wilfried, you talked about how strong he is but

he is an incredibly good athlete and it shows if you get a great

athlete playing tennis, they have it all. And with the Tour's that he

has got, it takes quite a long time to mature and to know how to use

your game to best effect. He has been out there few years, he is 26

years old, at least two or three of his professional years have been

racked with injury and remained his momentum but now his body has

strengthened him to his athleticism and he knows how to get a back even

if he is not playing great. He is in the middle of the best part of

his career, up from 13 to six this year, that match is a career-high

ranking -- ranking. He is enjoying himself. What Andrew is saying

about the fact he has knuckled down, he is training hard, you almost

have to now in tennis. Roger started it, Rafa, the physical

attributes, Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray moving on as well. We do is

focus, and rightly so, on their defensive skills. Tsonga has got a

good game. But what is not focused on is their defensive skills,

dictated by athletic ability. The best defender in the game is

Djokovic, who manages to be offensive when he is in a defensive

position. You look at the weights on the moves, he is so athletic and

Danby so dangerous -- the way song that moves, he is so athletic and

so dangerous. He has a single handed backhand which has added to

his game. Watch out for that today. It may be a big shot, a big point

winning shot today. And this man makes it look too easy. He is

that?! His timing, his movement, he has a great eye for tennis -- who

is that?! You look at his technique and the way he moves, it is

textbook. I think that is one of the reasons why he will be able to

move on -- play on for a long time because his game does not take that

much out of him. Add to that how he trains and the quality of

preparation, there is no reason he cannot go on for two, 3, four years.

He has not been out of the top two at year end for donkey's years, I

think a tears until this year. He feels, joy fully, that he has

something to prove still. I still think he can get in the mix into

next year and fight his way back up into the top two. Who knows,

possibly world No. 1 again. You never know with this match. It is

difficult to say what will happen next it, Djokovic has so much to

defend next year, will Rafa reignite the passion in his game,

will Murray makes the breakthrough? There are so many questions.

those top four, they have got nothing to prove but to themselves

because they have achieved so much, but they all have different things

to work towards. Djokovic, after the year he has had, can he repeat

that? It will be incredibly hard because he was so consistent for so

long. Nadal has sort of had a Djokovic jinx this year, losing in

six major finals to Djokovic, and then you have Federer, who wants to

add to 16 Slams. Throw Andy Murray into the occasion, wanting to win

his first Slam, it will be fascinating to what. And Roger, at

the age of 30, still as keen now, as keen as a ever. -- as keen as

ever. And these numbers can be misleading, a lot of people want to

write Federer off, saying he is too old, but only a few years ago

Agassi was in the final of the US Open at 35, Sampras won the US Open

at 30, so I think there are many more titles left in the him.

were talking yesterday about Paul who coached you and Federer, we

would say it is an easy job but in some ways it is very difficult

because Federer expects the best? That is right, we laughed and we

say, in all sports, what do the best coaches have? They have the

best players. Barmy, he has picked them pretty well! -- except for me.

It is getting his game-plan right, you know he has won so many

tournaments, so it is very small adjustments, but at think Paul has

had a very positive impact to the way that Federer strategy rises his

game. He is getting to the net when he has the opportunity more. Paul

will know, Roger will Mayer, he cannot afford a slow start like

yesterday -- Roger will know. think it was the 10th game Federer

was serving for about nine minutes and Ferrer was two points away on a

number of occasions and he felt at that moment if Ferrer could have

got the first set it would have made life even more difficult for

Federer, but as is often the case he found a way to get through that

game, broke set and never looked back and that was when his game got

better -- broke serve. If he starts in a similar vein, Federer, he

could struggle because Tsonga will come out all guns blazing. Everyone

is saying Federer is the favourite, is he for you? He is the favoured,

definitely, but I wouldn't be surprised if Tsonga causes an upset.

Andrew is already in the commentary box, so it is all yours.

ANDREW CASTLE: tents, Sue. Send Tim around. -- thank you, since. This

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is the big one, the World Tour You got one right, Andrew!

single handed backhand! A key moment, I told you. You said it

would be at a key moment. OK, perhaps that backhand was a key

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moment. From 30-0 up, Federer now It is a little bit wild and out of

control, isn't it? When he is on the run with that backhand, he is

UMPIRE: Game, Federer. When you had Paul in the camp, did

you sit down and make two or three points for thought as much yes.

Paul used to write down a couple of key points to try and emphasise

during the match - hitting the spots on the serves, maybe

strengths and weaknesses about your opponent's game. If you get off of

the right track, you always have That is 815 aces this season - top

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There is his dad with some He is not going to hang around at

the back of the court too often, is he? He is one of these players who

can impose himself and dictate play. He has the firepower. Not many can

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His dad comes from central Africa, where he was the best handball

player. He came over to play professional handball in Paris. And

his mum and dad met there. You see where he got in as let -- his

There is Robert, Roger's that. He is very proud when his son gets the

receptions that he gets all over He says he gets was the man

kindness from his mother, criticism -- was dumb and kindness. I do not

know where he gets his shoes from, Interesting defence there. Tim

Henman was talking about it before the match. The athleticism gives

you the ability to defend UMPIRE: Federer is challenging the

call. This is a big one, first serve at

15-30. Has he had his rhythm Talk about this game being about a

matter of inches. Federer did not really need to make this shot quite

so good. Anywhere in the service box would have won him the point.

The Federer camp would have been a little bit nervous about this one.

He took a bit of a swing at it. They say you pay for a whole

It is certainly an expert's racquet that he is using. Very unforgiving

on a misfit. -- mishit. Minor danger averted. Can you buy

these racquets online or in the High Street? Yes, pretty much. I

think the racquets that the professionals are using will be

doctored slightly, they will be adapted to the balance point and

their grip size that they want. much do their way? -- they weigh?

About 300 grams. Ivan Lendl used to use rackets that were about 400

grams. Andy Murray used to use one that was very heavy. I think he

uses a lighter one now. And it is the strains that have

made such a difference of the years. Do they use a blend of synthetic

and gut? Yes, it is normally a blend. That is that the main

strings and across strings are different. Why is that? Normally,

when you use the synthetic string that has come in recently, you have

that as the mainstream because that is where you're getting your power

We have not really talked about the serve-and-volley tactics too much.

I think both players will be using it just for that element of

surprise and to keep the opponent Well, well, well! I guess they do

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UMPIRE: Game, Tsonga. This is the largest indoor tennis

arena that they will play in all year. 2,500 more people than on

Tsonga's power here, he is able to change the complexion of that rally.

You felt like Federer was trying to get on top with the backhand. He

ripped the turn -- the return and was able to dominate with the

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This has two effect, doesn't it? First, it keeps him in the game,

but the real effect is that Federer is thinking, when he is serving a

second serve, what is Tsonga going It was a last shot of the rally. It

was a pretty instantaneous challenge. It was a bit forehand

from Federer, but was it dipped too Looking over at his camp and

pointing straight up again. That has become the universal

signal. Federer, I think, is getting the balls ready for the

It has been a tremendous run, hasn't it, from Federer, after the

disappointment of losing to Novak Djokovic in the semi-final of the

US Open, where he had two match points. On one of them, Djokovic

just teed off, I feel like it has been one of those years where he

has left a couple of matches about there. We have been so used to him

winning those matches in the latter stages of grounds lambs where it is

tight and it is decided by a point here or there. Given his present

form, and going into the off-season, I think that is what motivates them

to come out firing early in 2012 and add to his Grand Slam tally.

Could you see him going up to the top of the rankings again? Why not?

I think his performance in the Grand Slams so has been incredibly

consistent. He has been in the quarter-finals of 30 consecutive

Grand Slams. It still takes an incredible performance to beat him.

He is still very much at the top of the game. Again, it will be a

question of whether, in those critical moments, he can find a way

to win those important points that he has won so many times in the

past. Not exactly great news for Andy Murray as he tries to break

through the same three that have been a roadblock for him in the

past. They will finish the top That is the major of London, Boris

Johnson. He looks like he has not Against most other players, when

Federer is rallying, he is not so concerned about the debt. He keeps

the ball in certain places where he feels OK, but against Tsonga he can

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turn from defence into attack in a Tsonga's only lost one point on

serve so far. Just an indication that some of the momentum is with

When you're trying to have an impact to break serve their two

ways of doing it. Will one is that you get -- that you get really on

to your Rome -- your opponent's serve, the other is that you are

There are not really many guys who can bully Federer from the back of

the court. Tsonga gripped those two backhands. -- ripped.

UMPIRE: Federer challenge is the I think Tsonga is saying that the

market left on the court is just The confidence to show his

versatility. That is what is marking out Tsonga in this match.

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He looks very confident, very sure Greatness in tennis is measured by

how well you do in the Grand Slam tournaments. A quick look at

Federer up's record. -- Federer's records. In 2009 he won the French

Open when Rafael Nadal lost to Robin Soderling. That is the one

that completed the set. All we seven people have done that. Just a

fantastic record over such a long time. It has been a real barren

spell for him. When he goes back it Melbourne it will be two years

since he won and Grand Slam. I think he would love to put that

right. It is always interesting when you turn up at the Grand Slams

at just to get a feel for the surface and speed of the court.

Certainly, Federer will be looking for a smoother court, slightly

faster. I think, given the right conditions, he will definitely be

one of the favourites in January down in Melbourne. They can prepare

these courts in very great detail. They can dictate the height of the

bounce and away the ball back moves off of the surface. This court is

pretty slow, though you would not That is a change up from a Tsonga.

I think one of the first rules you are taught in tennis is always to

watch the ball, but as you get better you also have to be able to

see what your opponent is doing. On that first point, Federer was able

to see Tsonga coming in behind the second serve, chipped the return

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE I thought he was meant to be too old!

It was a lovely surprise for him after this forehand passing shot

that he got another bite of the cherry. Tsonga should have done

more, he didn't and paid the price. That was fabulous defence. He

should not really have had a chance to play that one. Three break

UMPIRE: Dame, Federer. -- game. That was a below-par game from

Tsonga in lots of ways. Some strong tennis from Federer. A couple of

good points from Federer at the start of the game. But that casual

He stayed with his ball so well. Look at his weight - Sat, Sat --

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It is 15-30 again on the Federer He did that earlier on, it is the

right play. Federer news that second serve could not just go in

the middle of the box, he had to make sure he got the angle, got the

kick to make sure that Tsonga had Precision from the Swiss. And it is

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a set point at 5-3 for the Good shot by Tsonga but Federer not

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Well, that was a fascinating first set of tennis. 35 minutes of it.

You feel, probably, that Tsonga needed to win that one. It is

certainly going to be a tough road back, but you look at the finer

details of the set, Federer won 28 points, Tsonga when 25, only three

points in it. But look at the important points, that is when

Federer wins and he was able to create those break point

opportunities, get his nose in front and finish it off. He is

pretty handy at finishing tournaments off, he has won 69 of

them over the years. If he wins this match, it will take him to 39

wins at this, the ATP World Tour Finals, the season-ending

championships. It would tie him with Ivan Lendl. If he wins this it

-- he would go ahead of Sampras and Ivan Lendl who both have five

victories in the championship total, so it is record books galore. He

has a tendency to win back to back, twice at Euston, twice in Shanghai,

and now the events in London where he won last year. The only person

who has ever beaten him in a world tour finals final was David

Nalbandian back in 2000 and buy it. This was such a key point here.

was a great rally, but disappointing from Sonia. He had

the whole court, but he gave it too much air -- from Tsonga. Federer

was able to get back and that gave him three break points. If he were

coaching Tsonga now, and on the women's tour the coaches are

allowed to go and have a word with their players, what would you say?

I would not say he has done too much wrong, he is getting that

balance right between aggression and consistency, but he has just

got to make sure he is disciplined, when he has opportunities to finish

the point he takes them. It is important to get off to a good

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start here, serving first in the A lovely game to re-establish

himself in the match. The last set seemed to go quickly from 3-3-6-3-

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3 it is just brilliant tennis on Tsonga, he is aggressive,

maintaining aggression in those Rileys with Federer. -- in those

That is the widest of Wight serves, it must have crossed the baseline

and it got there good 10 metres outside of the tramline -- the

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Easy game. Through, not down, on We spend all this time eulogising

about Federer, he is your absolute pigeons on the indoor courts. What

was your record, tell them. Five, I lost a set to him once. Indoors.

Did you have an off des? He was 11 when I beat him. Years of age, that

The powers of concentration you have to have when you are playing

against one of the best in the world is one of the things that is

not talked about. But you cannot start a game like that, this is now

That was a brilliant return of serve from Federer, who managed to

control it and get it deep on the backhand side from the first serve,

and he will be disappointed he It is fine lines, trying to serve a

volley behind the second serve. I think he has to be more accurate

with the second serve. Federer is able to keep the return low.

Volleying to Federer's forehand, it His first first serve of this game

A real bonus it he gets out of this game now, two double faults,

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So imposing when Tsonga finds the mark with a first serve and Federer

gets a look at the second serve, you feel he is the one with the

Federer did this on a big point in Paris, and he got a winner. This

He had to win that game. Two double faults to open up and he still

holds. To put the game at eight years old and grew up in an area of

France famous for its racetrack. Immediately after he went to the

local club to play, he fell in love with the game, and people fall in

love with him whenever he plays because he plays an exciting game

of tennis. A number of football stars here today, all I'm sure

equally as shocked as we are, actually, about the news of the

death of Gary Speed earlier on, which rather overshadows this

sporting occasion. He had so many friends among the BBC team, so we

think of him and his family. Tributes all around various

football grounds, including Swansea, today, for Gary Speed. But we will

concentrate on this tennis final, with a sense of perspective. You

cannot beat the staging, you would have loved the us. It is fantastic,

I was lucky enough to play in this event twice and it is a select

group, you feel very honoured to qualify, but it would have been

fantastic to play in London. You look at the attendance, this is the

highest attended single week tennis event in history, all three years,

with over 250,000 attending on each occasion. You would like to think

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it would have to be a hell of a bid He has beaten Tsonga already, last

Sunday, in the group stages of this event. He has beaten Nadal, Mardy

Fish from the United States, and David Farren in the semi-finals.

UMPIRE: Game, Federer. -- and David Ferrer in the semi-finals. His

opponent came through the round robin stages from the same group

and then defeated Tomas Berdych, who won the other group in his

semi-final. No particular damage done for Tsonga or that he played

the second, evening semi-final yesterday, just a two set match, so

no problems with fatigue or injury Left hand, full extension. This is

the kick, power coming off the floor through the right leg coming

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A similar scenario with players running round the second serve to

try to hit the big forehand, it sends a message. Federer probably

looking to do that a little bit There were not many better than

Federer's coach at that. He loved Three straight points for Federer,

and it's a break point at this Once again, the break comes quickly

and somewhat unexpectedly. The Janko and charge kept him in the

game. He knows how to construct a return charge. It is a question of

him picking a spot and executing it, and how well he did it there. The

man in your picture there, Paul, was probably one of the most

prolific charges. He played a match in Cincinnati whence and when he

came off court, the question was, you stayed on the baseline six

times today, what do you think? And he said, I think I stayed back too

much. Do you remember that very large headed racket, he had the

graphite one as well and he used to take to the court, it was like a

hammock, the strings, you could sleep on them on the evening, and

he would take it so early and just run in, but he had very good hands.

His highest ranking was 12 in singles and three in doubles.

think he won the Aussie Open doubles. That's right. Federer

rally hit.. What is he dealing hitting forehands over their? --

hit point. That furthest red ball to the left might have been a break

point return. He is not running around his forehand to hit

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backhands, what else can we see Tsonga has got to find some

inspiration from somewhere here, and quickly. You get the feeling he

has thrown most of his artillery Tsonga was up 30-0 in his last

service game, Federer was able to win four straight points. You just

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don't feel that he is going to let UMPIRE: Game, Federer. Federer

Federer never likes to serve with new balls. Both players have gone

over to their racket bags, stuffed full of new G-strings and are

perhaps a double of new frames, and they are getting their rackets out

now. There is not a lot the umpire can do if both players are not

Why, with one game to go, we Jo- Wilfried take a new racket now? --

would Jo-Wilfried. Are you asking me? Yes! Any series? He obviously

does not like to return with a new When a new racket comes out of the

back, the strings are almost oily, they slide over the top of each

other, whereas when you have played a game and they have this bout

between the strings, they bite a As a result of that casual drop,

neither a half volley not a drop shot, he is just six points from

And that error means it is break point. This is a virtual match

point. He is compared to Muhammad Ali sometimes. I wonder whether

Tsonga has thrown his last punchier. -- punch here.

Cheeky! Nice! It is a high-risk strategy on break point might have

done. Then a drop shot here. It is brave if you make it and stupid if

He may as well. The players have three challenges per set. And it is

A little bit casual at times, but that drop shot just kept him in. So

he hangs in there. He is up to number six in the world. He has had

that ranking before, back in 2008, when he enjoyed his career

highlight of the Australian Open final. That was the year that

Murray took a fair amount of criticism for having lost to Tsonga

in the first round. Little did we know that Tsonga would go through

the hall to order that, beat Nadal in the semi-final and lose to

Djokovic. He is an experienced man. It is sort of now or never. That is

right. It was imperative to hold serve there. If he had gone two

break down, it would have been different. Federer is in a great

rhythm. He still has to a halt serve potentially twice. Tsonga has

really got to focus his attention on these first couple of points of

Federer's service game. If he can get physio to 15 or are 0-30 then

you feel he could ask some Federer has over 800 at Windsor on

the tour under his belt. -- 800 Impressive return there on the

second serve. Tsonga Coppinger at Federer misses this first serve to

get another look at the second. -- Tsonga hoping that Federer.

likely. Still, by winning their first point he is still in this

game. He has to try and play a UMPIRE: Tsonga is challenging the

I think he weighed up his options. That is a shame. He really is the

one player who can turn that type of defence into an attack with an

incredible running forehand. You felt that he had as like the easier

Let's be honest, it is easier sitting here, but if he is going to

make an impact and get back into this match he has to make those

You kind of feel that Tsonga played a good game there. He won the first

point, played some aggressive tennis, but Federer still held

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A bit of an afterthought, wasn't it? Tsonga pushed back behind the

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UMPIRE: Game, Tsonga. Tsonga needs more than aces, he

needs a break of serve. Too many records to even talk about

for Roger Federer. He is trying to get the job done here. It always

seemed likely that he would be the man to beat. That is what everybody

has been talking about. People have been talking about how tired they

are. Andy Murray has pulled out with a groin strain. The next Grand

Slam is in Melbourne in January, the Australian Open. Tsonga, does

he have anything left? Were certainly hope so, but, from

Federer's point of view, it is a classic case of process rather than

outcome. He has to focus his action on this first point. He is not

thinking about the score, not treating the game any differently.

He wants to come out and pick his spot, execute the serve and then,

as he has done so well throughout the match, dictate with his

forehand. He has had a great week. To make it to this final is a very

high achievement indeed. He needs some inspiration and he has to

break the Federer serve. This Federer serving for a sixth

Was that the start you were talking about? Three more of these and he

Another second serve. Does he move That was an unusual tactic from

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Tsonga says, not just quite ready APPLAUSE Tsonga seals the deal,

gets the break of serve. That's my boy! Just charging in. He

drilled this one so hard into the court it came out with oil! That is

a bit of a turn-up. Federer was He missed the three first serves he

had been the game. -- had in the It is not quite so Serena now, is

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it? Federer is going to be tested Tsonga has that exhalation of

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effort, hasn't he? Federer is A little bit wild. Talk about not

the time! Gets 40-15 up and then Mrs the backhand down the line.

Goes for the big second serve. Suddenly he is back to deuce and

the pressure us right back on It look like Federer found the

outside edge. Where was the challenge? That is on the umpire's

side of the court. You thought he might have got involved in that. Or

I think, going back to that call, that is the line judge's colt, and

not the hardest one to call. -- the When they played at Wimbledon in

the quarter-final, the match that Tsonga won from two sets down, he

won three points 4 River Ewe he lost. -- for every two. UMPIRE:

That is a massive cheer. He was down to do for. -- two to four.

Federer is aiming for up as sixth title at these finals. Now, in a

matchplay situation, Federer knows that he has to win this game and

then a tie-break. It is a big thing when you're coming end at 5-6. - -

coming in. To fail to finish of the tournament

with one last strong service game is tough. You talk about the

psychology. It is so important to stay in the present tense. You do

not bother worrying about the last game or a potential tie-break. You

focus on the first point. Federer would not want to cast his mind too

far back on some of the missed opportunities he has had this year.

Djokovic, Mats point, semi-final of the US Open. Two sets up against

Tsonga at Wimbledon and lost. And the final of the French with Nadal,

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but it was not to be. Is this to be It is a great tactic. He is really

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imposing his style and his size on They have not played a lot of tie-

breaks against each other over the years. Two Sunday Max Mirnyi ago in

the Paris Masters final -- two Federer asked the question on a

passing shot, didn't try to do too much with it, knew that he had to

make Tsonga volley. He has come out with some good Valdes, that was not

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UMPIRE: Federer is challenging the Just enough back spin on the ball

on the Federer return to keep it low. That is Tsonga's bread and

butter. At this stage in the match He would not be human if he did not

get nervous. Absolut that. You saw Federer, just before this tie-break

started he was running on the spot, flexing his knees, just a bit of

nervous tension in his legs. I think that has affected him on a

APPLAUSE You can talk about the volley to win that but Federer

knows that he is going to get the forehand, rips it into the open

court. Tsonga gets across to make him

volley, but. Once again, Federer is closing in

UMPIRE: Tsonga is challenging the call.

In hope rather than expectation. It was not the cleanest drive volley

He was practising that before the doubles final this afternoon. He

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A strange lack of footwork from the If Federer wins the next two points,

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Sunday will not go away here! -- Tsonga will not go away. Great

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He had the courage of his convictions again, didn't he? A

And a forehand that had 200 pounds of Frenchman behind it. Not yet for

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A challenge from Federer. UMPIRE: The ball was called in.

ANDREW CASTLE: Was it deep or back Federer has had a match point taken

away from him by Tsonga's hitting and now it is Tsonga with the set

And we have got a decider! Jo- Wilfried Tsonga will not be denied,

it seems! It is a mini French celebration here at the O2.

Courageous stuff, really very courageous. Was it Federer's fault,

some of that? Will he blame us up? How does he respond? A combination

of the two -- will the blame himself? He had only lost oar

points on his serve, he missed his first three first serves and then

Tsonga was able to take the initiative. Once Tsonga was able to

break back, you felt there was a swing in momentum. Federer was one

point away from finishing his year in style, now he has to show his

mental fortitude. They are playing exactly the right music for a

Tsonga match, Peter Gabriel, Sledgehammer. That is what he saved

the match point with. Most of the crowd, even though they adore

Federer, the player, are very happy to see a decided yet. And it is

right that this event has a decent match to finish the week. There

have been some good ones this week but this could turn out to be the

real highlight. Nastier, Nadal beat Andy Murray in a semi-final that

when the final distance to a tie- break. But this one, I think Sunday

is flying high. Who do you favour in the first -- in the third?

have a sneaking suspicion that Tsonga will ride this way it of

momentum and form. -- ride this way is it. Federer will not be dwelling

on this, but I feel the momentum is with Tsonga now and he is looking

more aggressive, serving a little bit more consistently. It was way

back in September that Federer lost his last match. That was Djokovic

at the US Open. 16 match winning streak since then. And he did not

see that Tsonga had gone off for a comfort break there. He got up, sat

down again, and the crowd will be treated to the spectacle of the

I suspect sundeck taking his shirt off would have even more impact --

Tsonga taking his shirt off. He has got a couple of moments whilst

Tsonga comes back to the court just to compose himself, get back to his

strategy. How is it decided to serves first in the third set?

person he didn't serve the first point of the tie-break. -- the

person who didn't serve. Really, that person first -- the person

serving first in the second set will serve first in the third set.

Federer is showing some frustration with all of this, I don't think he

likes the comfort great thing too much. Andy certainly doesn't like

having had a match point and having served for the match -- and he

This is interesting, defending champion here, clearly a great

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tennis player. How will he respond He says to himself, why didn't I do

that at 5-4? It is the same end I am serving from, what is the

I think that pretty much illustrates that he picks signs and

then hits it hard, 77 miles an hour average ground stroke speed, that

is high. I think Ferrer was 55 the other day, so he hits it hard and

This is why Tsonga is difficult to play, he gets a backhand like that

and hits it as hard as he can, Some very sweet timing on the

UMPIRE: Federer challenging the call on his side of the net at the

service line. This challenge is more for peace of

mind, I think, than the expectation that the ball was out. It certainly

was not instantaneous. And it was out, and that is going to do it Jo-

Wilfried Tsonga because that was Getting a second bite of the cherry

on that point, he will be disappointed at Federer missing

that from the back of the court. Doing his best to get his feet

going, jumping up and down waiting Matches where you have match point

and Louis always stay with you, you remember them. -- and news. You

sometimes forget matches where you came back from match point down,

but it is a bitter pill to swallow, isn't it? We have had a couple of

them this week, with Tomas Berdych against Janko Tipsarevic. He came

back from match point down and also had match point against Djokovic.

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At this event, in its various guises over the years, we have had

a lot of interest in five-set matches. Now it is just three.

Would you prefer five per is I had this conversation with Federer at

the other day and he said for the final match of the Tour

Championship Sea would prefer a five-set final, you things it is a

fitting way to finish this year. didn't like it in regular

tournaments when you played three sets all week and suddenly they

threw in a five-set final, but for an event of this stature a five-set

final would be good. Why was it changed? I think players were not

getting paid any extra for playing five sets, probably. No, I think

for continuity and there were some tournaments that did have five-set

finals. Paris? Queen's would be a two set final. Paris indoors would

be a five-set final. All Grand Slams are five sets, of course, and

again see that changing, on the men's side anyway. -- and I don't

see that changing. There was a great final here in 1988 in the

York City at Madison -- Madison Square Garden, Boris Becker against

Ivan Lendl. At 6-5-better, he got a dead net call against Ivan Lendl

and won it. I'm sure Ivan was Becker three-time champion of this

event, Ivan Lendl five. Federer trying to make a total of six.

UMPIRE: Please take any risk seed, players are waiting, thank you. --

ANDREW CASTLE: People just wandering back in are getting told

off by the crowd. The trouble if it Not a political gaffe, but a gaffe

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Double figures on aces for the The first four games have been

split evenly between these two players. The beginning of this

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third set, very much building the Is this the moment that a

significant move is made by one of Federer's first serve deserted him

at the beginning of this set, he has only made four of their team,

giving the -- giving Tsonga the opportunity to look in at these

UMPIRE: Tsonga is challenging the call his side of the net, ball was

called out. Good umpiring, it is easy for them

to just rely on Hawk-Eye. I think this was a clear mistake. It was a

The man on the line called straight back into action.

Federer, of the two players, looks like the one hanging by a thread at

the moment. He is hanging on, though. He knows what to do to get

the job done, he has won these three service games but he has

looked a bit flat, a bit shell- shocked after that second set where

he failed to set out and then missed a match point. I think as we

touched on it is definitely an advantage for Federer to be serving

first. He is able to put the disappointment of the second set

behind him and keep his nose in front. If Tsonga was always up, 2-1,

3-2, 4-3, the pressure would mount even more and Federer is obviously

going to try to do that to Tsonga. A penny for Tsonga's thoughts. This

is their last match of the year, they have played an awful lot of

tennis. It starts, sometimes before new year, they will be travelling,

moving out on Boxing Day to go and play tournaments. It knocks the

stuffing out of you, being on airplanes, in hotels, even if you

are in the right bit of the airplane and in very nice hotels,

it is a long season. This is it, those. -- though. These players

will know that. They have got the Davis Cup final, mind you, next

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Tsonga lost his serve in the second set when he was up 30-0. Well done

to Chris commode in the foreground there, the managing director of the

There was more urgency to Federer's foot work there. He has not got a

He will take that as a very significant ever. He was just

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What ball striking! There are very few players who can really Billy

Federer in the rallies. Federer's ball was just landing two central

in the court. Tsonga just throws himself at that. Federer did ask

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Tsonga found himself under threat UMPIRE: Game, Federer.

What a comfortable game that was - four St points. -- straight points.

I do not know when blast then was that you saw Roger COWE but I can

remember at -- the first time you ever saw Roger, but I'd remember --

I remember seeing him playing in Milan in 2001. He was a teenager,

might have been 17. I had never seen shots hit like that before.

saw him in Switzerland when he had a wildcard and played Andre Agassi

in the first round. He went out against the top-ranked player and

looked very at home. He lost the match but he looked very

comfortable than those surroundings. -- in those surroundings.

Was it 2002 when he beat Pete Sampras at Wimbledon? 2001. There

was a real feeling of a changing of the Guard. Then he lost to some

hacker in the next round. You! That was in his pony-tailed days. He has

had a much point, suffered that this appointment. -- a match point.

A very short second serve from Tsonga gave Federer time to move

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into decision and unload the The crowd enjoyed the talented

catch from song that as the ball went up into the massive score

board and sound system, but Federer backhand was there to be made. --

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That is the one. Up instead of That was even bigger - 138 mph.

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Tsonga is really pumped at this Their conversion rates are

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Tough point. Relentless serving. The backhand down the line set it

up, sweet drop shot, not high enough. Here comes another moment

UMPIRE: Tsonga is challenging the call.

After that little break, a second It was a bit of a pushy return from

Federer, but he did not mind the pass, the pass was good. The volley

It was too long. He will be to belittle -- a little

softer with his hands on that forehand volley. -- he will need to

You know, the moment Tsonga went to his left to chase that Back and

Return, Federer was only going to hit a forehand down that line. That

is sharp match play. A big reaction, to, pent-up frustration. He is

He didn't make any of his first serves on the first three points on

that occasion. Gets a cheap point, Very nice. Nothing Tsonga and du

there. He is still so angry, Tsonga, that he lost at previous service in.

He has got to get out of that quickly. -- he lost that previous.

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More history, more records for Roger Federer! Six Tour finals to

go with his six Wimbledons in the City of London. What a fine

response. Undefeated again. That is ten

matches in a row at these championships. Undefeated once

again through the round - robins. He will remember this one, this was

tough. You see his reaction to break serve and to finish it off.

Sometimes you watch him and he seems so Cam, it seems so

effortless. But he wanted this badly and we was able to get it in

the end. -- he was able. Tsonga has contributed hugely to this event,

but this is Roger's moment. He has a tendency to get here fall at

these moments. Maybe it is because he is that bad. -- he is a father.

What a second half of the year he has had, at him. He has played

fantastically. It is the ideal way for him to finish this season. It

is a big title. SUE BARKER: Just to confirm what we

heard, Roger Federer takes his place in the history books, once

again becoming the first player ever to win this title six times.

Yet another record for the great Roger Federer. That is it for us

here on BBC Two, but do join us on the red button because we will be

staying here for the presentation of and we will hear from the

champion, and indeed the runner-up. What a week it has been. Jo-

Wilfried Tsonga has played his part. We are hoping that Rafael Nadal,

Djokovic and Andy Murray will get themselves fit enough for 2012. For