Nadal stuns Federer in epic Wimbledon final

(CNN) -- Rafael Nadal has won his first Wimbledon men's singles title after holding off a stunning fightback from five-times champion Roger Federer to secure a dramatic victory in an epic rain-affected five-set final.

Nadal triumphed 6-4 6-4 6-7 6-7 9-7 in fading light in the longest men's final in Wimbledon history, as the French Open champion prevented top seed Federer from becoming the first man in history to win six successive titles.

The second seed's four hour, 48 minute triumph means he becomes only the third man in the Open era -- after Rod Laver and Bjorn Borg -- to win at both Roland Garros and Wimbledon in the same year.

As well as becoming the first Spaniard to win Wimbledon since Manolo Santana in 1966, Nadal also avenges his defeats to Federer in the last two finals and puts an end to the Swiss star's grass-court run of 65 consecutive wins.

"It's impossible to explain what I felt when I won," said Nadal.

I'm just very happy to win this title. I never thought I could win and to do so is a dream," he added.

"I had match points but Roger is very tough. I want to congratulate Roger because he is great for tennis, win or lose.

"He's still the number one, he's still the best. He is a five-time champion and I have just the one."

Federer admitted he had been beaten by the better man on the day. "I tried everything," he said. "Rafa is a deserving champion -- he just played fantastic.

"It is a pity I did not win but I will be back next year."

Nadal had earlier stood on the brink of victory after taking the advantage in the fourth set tie-break and holding two points for the title, the second of which Federer saved with a sensational backhand winner.

But in a match interrupted by two rain delays, Nadal finally seized his chance in the 15th game of the final set, breaking Federer then serving out and marking his victory by dropping to the floor, emotion etched all over his face.

Nadal had produced near-flawless tennis in the first set, breaking as early as the third game of the match when two consecutive missed backhands set the tone for a patchy start from the world number one.

Federer failed to grasp an immediate break-back opportunity and Nadal was the aggressor, lulling his opponent into uncharacteristic unforced errors and serving out confidently.

Still Nadal was made to work out, saving two break points and surviving four deuces before finally converting his third set point chance for a 6-4 lead in 47 minutes.

Federer, however, was in no mood to surrender his title. After starting the second set with his second consecutive love service game, he pressured the Nadal serve and broke for a 2-0 lead with a searing forehand cross-court winner.

The defending champion swept into a 4-1 lead but Nadal responded in emphatic fashion by reeling off five games in a row, rallying from break point down to hold and take the second set, also 6-4.

Federer squandered four break points on the Nadal serve at 3-2 and in the next game Nadal was given a golden chance to show Federer how it was done, but gave up his own match-winning advantage by being clawed back from 0-40.

Inevitably the set sailed into a tie-break, with Federer claiming the first advantage with a big service return for 4-2, and maintaining his lead to win the breaker 7-5 and narrow the deficit.

Trading blows like heavyweight boxers, both men served strongly in the fourth set, Federer twice to stay in the Championships, forcing a second tie-break as good as any since Bjorn Borg's epic against John McEnroe in 1980.

Nadal grabbed a 5-2 lead before crucially double-faulting and allowing Federer to drag himself back from a double mini-break down.

Federer was first to hold set point at 6-5, but flashed a forehand into the tramlines. At 6-6, a long forehand gave Nadal his first Championship point, which Federer saved with an unreturnable serve.

Nadal had his second chance after a forehand pass, and Federer summoned an even better backhand winner to save again.

Federer earned his second set point at 9-8, and this time a long backhand return from Nadal brought an end to a truly remarkable tie-break, Federer's 10-8 victory clawing the match back level.

Another short rain break early in the decider did little to detract from the game's momentum, with Nadal having the first chance, failing to convert two break points on the Federer serve at 5-5.

Finally at 7-7, Nadal converted his fourth break point chance to set up the opportunity to serve out for the title and -- on his fourth match point -- Nadal forced one final error from Federer, collapsing to the turf in triumph at the end of a dramatic showdown.