Rafael Nadal, 06 Jul 2008

World number two Rafael Nadal of Spain has defeated Switzerland's Roger Federer to win the Wimbledon tennis championships, defeating the world number one in a five-set marathon.

Nadal overcame rain delays and a determined comeback attempt by Federer Sunday to claim his first title at the All England Club, 6-4, 6-4, 6-7, 6-7, 9-7.

It was the third straight year the two men had faced off for the Wimbledon crown, but the first time Nadal had prevailed. With the victory, Nadal snapped Federer's 65-match winning streak on grass and ended his five year reign at Wimbledon.

The match, which started late and was delayed twice because of rain, lasted four hours and 48 minutes making it the longest men's final in Wimbledon history.

Nadal becomes the first player to win the French Open and Wimbledon in the same year since Bjorn Borg in 1980 and the first Spaniard to capture the title since Manolo Santana in 1966.

Some information for this report was provided by AFP and AP.