Rafael Nadal has won the men’s singles title at the French Open. The Spaniard clinched his third straight victory on the Roland Garros Clay with a four-set win over Roger Federer.

A tight opening set saw Nadal break the world number one twice at decisive moments and win it with a blistering forehand right into the corner.

Long rallies were the order of the day and Federer was not a journeyman here winning most of them on his way to the second set.

But a clinical display of back court power hitting from Nadal in the third saw the Spaniard restore his advantage.

And the 21-year-old duly saw out the tie in the fourth. Federer hit long down the line to demolish his hopes of winning the one grand slam which has so far eluded him.

6-3, 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 is the final score. Utter delight for Nadal as this is his third straight title on the Paris clay.