Roger Federer became $798,540 richer after winning the 2014 Shanghai Rolex Masters on Sunday in China.
Federer, who has already earned $5,609,288 prize money heading into the tournament, scored a hard-earned 7-6, 7-6 victory against Gilles Simon in the final on Sunday in Shanghai, China.
Federer struggled to get into his rhythm in the opening set as he quickly put himself in danger after committing three unforced errors in the opening game, letting Simon break his serve.
Simon then cruised to take a 5-3 lead in the first set, but Federer made a huge rally to take a 6-5 lead before his opponent forced a tie-break. Federer blew a 5-3 lead in the tie break as Simon took a 6-5 lead, but the Swiss tennis superstar made big plays from then on to take the first set.
Federer and Simon also went toe-to-toe in the second set, which also ended in a tie-break, where the third-seeded superstar ran away with 7-2 win to take the crown. With the win, Federer bagged his fourth title this year and his first Shanghai Masters 1000 title.
"It makes me very happy winning here because this tournament means a lot to me," Federer said via ATP World Tour website. "I've always enjoyed coming here. I've come close a couple of times, but I've always wanted to win it as a Masters 1000. I feel unbelievable prestige to win this event. Especially putting my hands on the trophy for the first time is a good feeling."
The 33-year-old Swiss looked impressive in the tournament except during his second-round match against Leonardo Mayer where he just escaped with a 7-5, 3-6, 7-6 (9-7) win.
On his way to the final, Federer took down top-seeded and current world No. 1 Novak Djokovic 6-4, 6-4, showing that he is not bothered by the back problems that slowed him down last year.
"The biggest concern was to be healthy this year," Federer said via ESPN. "That's something I'm just so pleased about, to see that the hard work I put in last year is paying off. Not only is it paying off, but I'm feeling good, I'm waking up normal. I'm not half-broken like I was last year. I'm enjoying myself on the tennis court."
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