Teen Spaniard on top in Paris

Rafael Nadal clinched his first grand slam crown today 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.

Puerta had chances to level the match when he held three set points at 5-4 in the fourth but Nadal, displaying extraordinary athleticism, kept plugging away and eventually got the break.

He then held before breaking Puerta again to take the title.