Nadal takes French Open in thrilling final

RAFAEL NADAL clinched his first grand slam crown yesterday with a thrilling victory over Mariano Puerta at the French Open.

Nadal lost the first set on the tie-break but battled back well to seal a 6-7 (6-8) 6-3 6-1 7-5 triumph in three hours 24 minutes.

The 19-year-old is the first man to win on his Roland Garros debut since Mats Wilander in 1982.