CLAY KING RAFAEL RULES GRAND MASTER

What began as an exhibition became an epic as the world’s two best players slugged it out on a court that was grass at one end and clay at the other, on Nadal’s home island of Mallorca.

Nadal, the world No2, snatched a 7-5, 4-6, 7-6 (12-10) victory over the best player on the planet, having last week extended his world-record winning streak on clay to 72 matches.

In winning a fourth straight Wimbledon title, Federer racked up a record 48th successive victory on grass. Neither has beaten the other on his favoured surface.