SHANGHAI, China (AFP) — Roger Federer said he “saved the best for last” after he beat great rival Rafael Nadal for the fifth time in succession to win the Shanghai Masters yesterday.

The surprisingly one-sided 6-4, 6-3 victory over the world number one from Spain brought a 94th title for the Swiss legend, drawing him level with the great Ivan Lendl.

Nadal, who admitted afterwards that he had been defeated by the better man on the night, was ahead in their overall head-to-head record going into the clash — 23 wins to Federer’s 14.

But this time he was up against it almost right away.

Number two Federer put the Spaniard under the cosh in breaking him in the first game, to roars of approval from the majority inside the arena.

Another break to 36-year-old Federer in the fifth game of the second set put him in reach of a second Shanghai Masters crown — and a sixth title in 2017.

Federer, who has been managing his schedule to wring the best out of his ageing body, said he had improved as the week went on and felt he hit peak form just when it mattered.

Federer, fondly known as “Cow” in China for his laid-back personality, started the better in grabbing the break and then rattled through his own service game for 2-0.

Federer, a 19-time Grand Slam champion, was in full flow under the Qizhong Tennis Center roof, which was closed because of downpours in Shanghai.

Nadal, 31, fresh from winning the US Open and China Open, groaned while lashing many of his shots, while Federer was all quiet efficiency.

Somewhere in the stadium somebody rattled a cow bell and Federer responded by making it 4-2 with two booming aces in a row.