Rafael Nadal clinched his first grand slam crown today with a thrilling victory over Mariano Puerta at the French Open.
Nadal lost the first set on the tie-break but battled back well to seal a 6-7 (6-8) 6-3 6-1 7-5 triumph in three hours 24 minutes.
The 19-year-old is the first man to win on his Roland Garros debut since Mats Wilander in 1982.
The final hinged on a pulsating game late in the fourth set.
Puerta broke to lead 5-4 and had the opportunity to serve to take the match into a decider.
But, following a string of wonderful rallies, Nadal hit back to level at 5-5.
Puerta, on the comeback trail after serving a nine-month steroid suspension, appeared deflated and had no answer as Nadal held before breaking again to seal the match.
After being presented with the trophy by Real Madrid's former France midfielder Zinedine Zidane, Nadal said: "This is incredible, this is my dream coming true.
"It was an unbelievable match and I had to play my best tennis."
