ROGER FEDERER won the Shanghai Masters title as he overcame a determined Gilles Simon 7-6, 7-6 in a tight final.

The Frenchman achieved a break of serve in the first game and looked on course for the opening set, but Federer broke back and won the tie-break, much to the delight of the Chinese fans in the arena.

Federer - who will move up a place to number two in the ATP rankings today - played the better tennis from that point onwards but the second set also went to a tiebreak.

This time, though, the 17-time Grand Slam winner took it easily to wrap up victory in an hour and 52 minutes.

Simon had got off to a perfect start and silenced the largely Federer-supporting crowd by breaking the Swiss star in the first game. The rest of the set went with serve to leave Simon serving to take it.

But Federer earned himself two break points and, while the first one went long, Simon found the net on the second to level the set at 5-5.

The 33-year-old Swiss genius easily took the next game and had two set points against the serve, but Simon battled back and it went to a tie-break. Both players had mini breaks but it was Federer who edged ahead and he then took the set 8-6 with a backhand.

Simon called for the trainer at the break but did not look to be in any discomfort as he took the opening game of the second set. However, that was to be the only game on his serve that he held with ease.

The Frenchman showed great spirit as he was made to work hard on his serve while providing little resistance against Federer's.

He did gain two set points against the serve in the 12th game but Federer saw them off and took it to another tie-break.

But the second-set decider was far simpler than the first for Federer as a stunning forehand gave him match point at 6-2.

Simon then found the net to prompt an almighty roar of celebration from the champion.

"It's been an unbelievable week for me," Federer commented afterwards. "I got very, very lucky to come through the first round, saving five match points, so I know what a privilege it is to be here.

"I couldn't be more happy. It's been an absolute dream week for me.

"I'd also like to congratulate Gilles for his fantastic play for the entire week."