When asked what advice Roger Federer [Images] the coach would offer any player facing him in a match, the imperious Swiss joked: "Don't even try, pal!"

But after watching the world number one capture his fourth title in five years at the season-ending Masters Cup on Sunday, none of his rivals will be laughing.

Federer produced a vintage display to beat Spain's David Ferrer 6-2, 6-3, 6-2 in a one-sided final in Shanghai -- and then warned he will only get better.

• Images: Federer defends Masters crown

"It's been a fantastic year," said Federer, having made a mockery of suggestions he was in crisis following his shock loss to Chile's Fernando Gonzalez in his opening Red Group match.

"It's been in some ways a breakthrough year for me. Not losing a set during the Australian Open, beating [Rafael] Nadal for the first time on clay.

"I still would like to play a little more offensive, you know, come to the net a little bit. I'm in a great position for next year as well."

When Federer was ambushed by Gonzalez in his round-robin opener it was his ninth defeat since January, the Swiss having lost only nine times in total throughout 2005 and 2006.

It also marked back-to-back losses for Federer -- the first time that had happened for more than four years -- and triggered some fanciful headlines.

The only person not panicking was Federer.

Another three Grand Slam titles in 2007 and finalist at the French Open, Federer smiled: "Some might think that's a disaster. I don't."

Unruffled, he beat Russia's [Images] Nikolay Davydenko before destroying American Andy Roddick [Images] 6-4, 6-2 and nemesis Nadal 6-4, 6-1, his most emphatic win over the Spaniard to date.

"I didn't read the press that closely or listen to what people said," smiled Federer. "Once I get on a roll it's hard to stop me. It's always been like this."

Federer may transcend his sport, in the way Tiger Woods [Images] does golf, or Michael Jordan did basketball, but his hunger remains as fierce as ever.

"When I prove myself again and again now, it's not as big a surprise because this is why I work my tail off basically," said the 12-times Grand Slam champion.

"The red carpet stuff is interesting but I'm trying to cut it down as much as I can because in the end my big focus is tennis."

Federer's off-season preparation will now be geared towards breaking Pete Sampras's record of 14 Grand Slam singles titles in 2008.

"I surprise myself at times," said the 26-year-old Federer, who plays Sampras in a series of exhibition matches in Asia this week. "I hope I can keep it going for many more years."

Federer, who finished the year as number one for the fourth season in a row, wants to play until he is 35 -- disastrous news for Nadal.

"Maybe I am the best world number two in history," said the French Open champion with a wry smile. "When Roger plays well it is impossible to stop him."

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