Federer ends Nadal's winning streak on clay

After winning his last 81 matches on the dirt - a stretch going back to April 2005 - the world No 2 was beaten 2-6, 6-2, 6-0 in the final of the Hamburg Masters, formerly the German Open.

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Trophy time: Federer holds the prize aloft

By gaining his first claycourt win over his nemesis, Federer, 26, set himself up perfectly for next week's French Open, the one Grand Slam title that has eluded him.

Federer, who came into the tournament short of form and having sacked coach Tony Roche the previous week, said: "It was an incredible performance on my side. I had a great day and it is nice to be playing well again.

"I returned better, served better and was dictating play. But Rafael's 81 matches is an amazing sequence. I've a lot of respect for him."

Nadal emphasised that he was physically fit, although perhaps a little weary. He looked tired at the end when suffering an ignominious wipe-out in the final set.

He said: "If I have to lose against anyone then he is the man. I am not sad to lose against the best in the world. I lost a little bit of power after the first set and maybe I was mentally a bit tired."

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Broken the spell: Federer has finally beaten Nadal on clay

Whether yesterday's result is of longer term significance will be established in the next few weeks, but Nadal's surrender of 11 of the last 12 games has punctured his aura of invincibility.

He will be reassured, however, by his overall 7-4 career record over his great rival which made the outcome something of an upset.

Federer had failed to win his previous four tournaments, his worst barren spell since becoming world No 1.

All seemed to be going predictably enough when Nadal won the first set comfortably and then forced Federer to survive break points early in the second.

But Federer started to attack the net and Nadal's feared forehand began to miss badly. He will now be glad of the chance to regroup this week before hostilities are resumed at Roland Garros on Sunday.

British No 1 Andy Murray is still hoping to play in Paris despite retiring in Hamburg last Tuesday with an injured right wrist.

Murray, 20, the world No 10 who faces tests on the injury today, said yesterday: "I had an X-ray and there were no broken bones so that's good.

"I'll make a decision on the French Open and grass season once I have a better idea of what the injury is and how long it is going to take to heal."