Roger Federer scored the first 6-0, 6-0 win in the history of the season-ending Tennis Masters Cup on Saturday, pulverising Argentine Gaston Gaudio to move within one win of a third straight Masters crown.

The world number one's whitewash marked his 35th win in a row, improved his record for the year to 81-3 and was the most one-sided victory in 35 years of the competition.

It was also the first 6-0, 6-0 win of Federer's career and left his opponent devastated.

"No excuses," said Gaudio. "That was maybe the worst match I've played. I want to apologise to the crowd because I couldn't do anything.

"I prefer not to be here today," last year's French Open champion added. "It happens once in life and today it happened. What can I do?"

Wimbledon and U.S. Open champion Federer is now just one victory away from equalling John McEnroe's professional-era record for a season of 82-3 in 1984.

The Swiss will play another Argentine, David Nalbandian, in Sunday's final. Nalbandian beat Russia's Nikolay Davydenko 6-0, 7-5 in the other semi-final.

Only Ilie Nastase in 1971-73 and Ivan Lendl in 1985-87 have won three in a row at the season-ending extravaganza.

Federer had won all four of his previous matches against Gaudio and he blitzed through the first set in 27 minutes to leave Gaudio looking shell-shocked in the cavernous arena.

Gaudio served 10 double-faults to aid Federer's cause and was powerless to prevent Federer wrapping up an awesome victory in just 50 minutes.

Federer is playing his first tournament in more than a month after recovering from an ankle injury.