At Wimbledon, Roger Federer outclassed Andy Roddick in the semifinals. On Saturday, Federer showed why he is the most talented all-court player on tour today. He has the ability to approach a match with various styles, whether playing from the baseline or attacking, and he does them equally well.

The way Federer has looked at this week's Masters Cup, one could argue that he's the best player in the world right now. That's based on statistics: number of matches won (Federer with 77 matches and Roddick 72, for six titles each) and major titles won in 2003. Unfortunately for Federer, even if he wins on Sunday (ESPN 4 p.m .ET), the numbers will only let him finish No. 2 this year.

In the final, he's going up against Andre Agassi, whom he had never beaten until this week. Federer could be the first player since Lleyton Hewitt in 2001 to go 5-0 in the Masters Cup. If he does, he'll finish No. 2.

Then again, Andre Agassi could win the season-ending championship for only the second time in his career -- the only other time being in 1990. This is likely Agassi's last legitimate chance at winning the Masters Cup. He reached the final of the Masters Cup in 2000 where Gustavo Kuerten outplayed him, and he reached the final in 1999 where Pete Sampras outplayed him. The way Federer looks, Agassi might be outplayed again.

This week, it seemed as if Federer is learning how to deal with adversity while playing the best players in the world, and persevering through various lulls in matches to come out on top. The knock on Federer this year has been his inability to recover in matches when he finds himself down. It's almost as if he knows he's so talented that he's somewhat baffled when he finds himself losing. He doesn't know what to do about it. Overcoming that problem is going to be the difference between him winning just two or three major titles and six or seven in his career.

Federer will come out on top in the final. However, he might have to elevate his game at times to a level he has yet to play this week because Agassi will be eager. He knows it might be his last, best chance to win the Masters Cup.

In a sense, it'll be a personal victory for Agassi if he wins. He's one of four major champions this year and if he also takes the Masters Cup, he'll walk away from the tournament feeling like he's the best player in the world.
Pick: Federer in five sets

MaliVai Washington, a tennis analyst for ESPN, reached the 1996 Wimbledon final.