Federer wins maiden Paris Masters title

A resurgent Roger Federer swept past local favourite Jo-Wilfried Tsonga 6-1, 7-6 to clinch his maiden Paris Masters title on Sunday and send a deafening warning to his rivals ahead of the ATP World Tour finals.

Swiss third seed Federer, who moved to one shy of Rafa Nadal's record of 19 Masters titles with a stunning display of sheer brilliance, became only the second player with titles in Roland Garros and Bercy -- the two men's Paris tournaments.

"I'm very happy with my performance today," Federer, who captured his 69th career title from 99 finals, said at the courtside. "I'm amazed by how well I play.

"I don't think Jo played a bad match. It's good to complete the tournament so solidly."

"I'm a bit disappointed that I have not been able to play better," said Tsonga. "He was better today. He was just too quick."

Federer is now on a 12-match winning streak, after his title in Basel last week and two Davis Cup wins in September, going into the ATP World Tour finals at the O2 in London from November 20-27.

Federer had been facing the prospect of failing to win either a grand slam or a Masters title for the first year since 2001.

His focused, steady attitude contrasted with Tsonga's muttering and the former world number one's sharp first serve proved too much for the sixth seed to handle.

Tsonga had two break points in the first game but Federer used his first serve to hold him off.

The Swiss moved 4-0 up after a return sent wide and a double fault earned him a double break as a frustrated Tsonga struggled for ideas in front of a home crowd of 14,500.

Federer was already one set up when the clock ticked past the half-hour mark.

Tsonga, however, fought back in the second, earning a break point in the fourth game with a sizzling crosscourt passing shot, but blew his chance by sending a forehand wide.

Tsonga faced a break point in the 10th game but staved it off at the net and the contest went into a tiebreak which Federer comfortably won 7-3.