Rafael Nadal claimed his first Wimbledon men's singles with a five-set victory over Roger Federer, the five-time reigning champion, after what will rank as one of the greatest finals of a grand-slam tournament.

Nadal squandered a two-set lead and two Championship points in the fourth set tie-break before summoning the strength to defeat the world No 1 in the fifth set, sealing a 6-4, 6-4, 6-7 (5-7), 6-7 (8-10), 9-7 victory as dusk fell on Centre Court.

After a match that lasted four hours and 48 minutes, making it the longest men's singles final in Wimbledon history, Nadal finally gained a critical advantage in the 15th game of the final set, breaking Federer and then serving out for the Championship.

The Spaniard celebrated the victory by first collapsing to the floor and then climbing through the stands to embrace his family, as Pat Cash did 21 years ago, before walking across the scoreboard roof to shake hands with the Spanish royalty in the Royal Box.

Nadal had produced near-flawless tennis in the first set, breaking serve in the third game of the match when two consecutive missed backhands by Federer set the tone for a patchy start by the Swiss.

Federer failed to grasp an immediate break-back opportunity, allowing Nadal the momentum he needed to continue to dominate, lulling his opponent into uncharacteristic unforced errors and serving out impressively.

Not that he won the set easily. Nadal saved two break-points and survived four deuces on his serve before finally converting a third set-point chance for a 6-4 lead after 47 minutes of play.

Federer responded strongly. 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 champion then swept into a 4-1 lead but Nadal responded emphatically, winning five games in a row and rallying from break-point down to hold and take the second set 6-4.

In the third, Federer squandered four break-points on the Nadal serve at 3-2 and, with nothing to separate two players producing imperious tennis, it went to a tie-break. Federer claimed the first advantage with a big service return to set up a 4-2 lead and maintained his lead to win the tie-break 7-5.

Both men served strongly in the fourth set, Federer twice to stay in the Championship, forcing a second tie-break more compelling than any seen in a Wimbledon final since the 34-pointer that Bjorn Borg won against John McEnroe in 1980.

Nadal grabbed a 5-2 lead but double-faulted and allowed Federer to haul himself back from a double mini-break down. Federer was first to hold a set-point at 6-5, but sent a forehand into the tramlines.

At 6-6, a long forehand gave Nadal his first Championship point, but Federer saved it with an unplayable serve. Nadal had his second match-point after a forehand pass yet 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 momentous tie-break, Federer winning it 10-.

A second rain break early in the deciding set did little to detract from the game's momentum, with Nadal having the first chance to gain an advantage only to lose two break-points on the Federer serve at 5-5.

Finally at 7-7, Nadal converted his fourth break-point to set up the opportunity to serve out for the Championship. On his fourth match point, Nadal forced one final error from Federer - a forehand into the net - and collapsed to the turf in triumph.