DPA
London, July 7 (DPA) Rafael Nadal toppled Roger Federer from his Wimbledon pedestal Sunday with a 6-4, 6-4, 6-7 (5-7), 6-7 (8-10), 9-7 defeat, becoming the first Spaniard to win the title since Manuel Santana in 1966. Nadal handed the Swiss superstar his first loss at the All England Club since the 2002 first round against Mario Ancic. Federer was bidding to win his 41st straight match at his favourite venue.

His grass-court winning streak was stopped at 64 matches by the world number two in a four-hour, 48-minute struggle, interrupted twice by rain.

Nadal, who lost the last two Wimbledon finals to Federer and has beaten Federer in the last three editions at Roland Garros, improved his record in the series to 12 wins, six defeats.

Federer will remain number one with Nadal closing in as the hard-court season begins in North America.
DPA