Nadal steals Federer's crown

By Martyn Herman

LONDON (Reuters) - Rafael Nadal ended Roger Federer's five-year reign as king of Wimbledon on Sunday with a 6-4 6-4 6-7 6-7 9-7 victory in the longest and one of the most dramatic men's singles finals seen at the All England Club.

The 22-year-old Nadal survived an incredible Federer fightback to become the first Spaniard to win the grasscourt grand slam since Manuel Santana in 1966. He is also the first man since Bjorn Borg in 1980 to win the French Open and Wimbledon in the same year.

After two rain interruptions the players returned to court for a third time with light fading fast and in a nerve-shredding finale the contest ended with Nadal collapsing to the dusty baseline after a Federer forehand struck the net.

"It's impossible to explain what I felt in that moment...winning my favorite tournament, it's a dream," Nadal said after climbing through the crowd to hug his family and shake hands with Prince Felipe and Princess Letizia of Spain in the Royal Box.

"He's (Federer) still the number one, he's still the best, he's five times champion, now I have one."

Defeat ended Federer's six-year unbeaten run on grass, spanning 65 matches and ended his hopes of surpassing Borg's five consecutive Wimbledon titles.

The Swiss, who is still two grand slam titles shy of Pete Sampras's record 14, took defeat like a true champion, although he later said it was too dark to play at the end.

"I tried everything," the 26-year-old said on court. "Rafa is a deserving champion, he just played fantastic.

"It didn't make it easier but I expected the worst. It's the worst opponent on the best court. It's been a joy to play here again. It's a pity I couldn't win it but I'll be back next year."

A shattered-looking Federer later told reporters it was the "hardest" loss of his career.

GUSTY CONDITIONS

The final was delayed by half an hour because of rain and when battle did commence it was world number two Nadal who came out firing on all cylinders.

He broke Federer's second service game when the Swiss completely missed a backhand in the gusty conditions.

Nadal targeted Federer's off-key backhand relentlessly and it paid handsome dividends as the Swiss failed to capitalize on several chances to get back into the set.

Federer had two break points when Nadal served for the set at 5-4 but failed to convert and then netted another backhand to hand the marauding Majorcan the opener.