A tearful Rafael Nadal could not believe he had managed to beat Roger Federer after coming from a set down to win the Dubai Tennis Championships.

The 19-year-old Spanish prodigy completed a stunning return from injury to inflict the world number one's first defeat of 2006 with a 2-6 6-4 6-4 victory in the $1million (£569,400) event.

"This victory is very special for me," said the thrilled world number two, who ended Federer's 56-match winning streak on hard courts - the best sequence in the open era.

"I couldn't imagine this when I came here," Nadal added.

"I am very happy, especially after having been away from the court for three months. It's unbelievable and unforgettable for me.

"I was crying a little bit. But that's normal. I had some difficult moments in the last three months. I was crying a lot of times in the last three months. This win is very special for me and I'm very happy. You can't control you emotions."

Nadal's 13th career singles title came in only his second tournament since damaging his foot in October, the first being a semi-final exit from the International Series in Marseille.

It was an inspirational performance, one Federer didn't look like allowing him to produce after dominating the opening set, serving six aces as Nadal struggled to get a look in.

Indeed, Federer dropped only two points on his own serve and showed no mercy on the Spaniard's to complete two breaks.

Nadal, though, raised his game to incredible heights in the second set, getting 76% of his first serves in to hit back.

The youngster refused to yield so much as a break point in a near-flawless display, and the one break point he converted to go 5-4 ahead allowed him to serve out the set and level the match at 1-1.

Nadal continued to produce breathtaking tennis during the decider and, after the pair had exchanged breaks in the early stages, Nadal again made his move in the ninth game to give himself the opportunity to serve for the match.

He duly did so to complete a notable victory in one hour and 53 minutes.

"It's an unbelievable tournament for me," said Nadal, who has now won his last 10 finals. "This match is unbelievable because he began very well winning the first set easily.

"I could come back playing better and he started to miss some shots. My level went up a bit, while his went down, so the level was equal after the first two games of the second set.

"I was trying to win my service games all the time. I knew if I could hold serve going 3-3, 4-4, 5-5 for sure I would get my chances.

"At 4-4 in the first set he had one miss and I played two good points and could break. After I won the second set the match changed."

Despite extending his win-loss record against Federer to 3-1, Nadal insisted the Swiss was still at the top of the tennis tree.

"We have a good relationship. He is an unbelievable person," Nadal said. "For me he is the best sportsman in the world, I admire him a lot.

"That I can win against the best player in the world, against one of the best players in history, is important and very special to me."

Federer, who was looking to win his fourth straight Dubai title was magnanimous in defeat, but insisted the result "could have gone either way".

"I thought I played pretty well tonight actually," he said.

"Unfortunately I couldn't play better when it mattered the most, at 4-4 in the second and third set, where I got broken both times. It was tricky because I thought I played extremely well in the first one-and-a-half sets.

"Unfortunately he really got into the match at the end of the second set. I came back well in the beginning of the third and thought I was in control of the match again but sometimes I maybe just went for too much on the forehand. But he makes it hard, counter-punching so well."

"It was a very open match, it could have gone either way. Unfortunately for me the more consistent guy won tonight. I was hoping to be able to come through with an aggressive game plan. It was very, very close but he was better on the day.

"Losing in finals is the worst, I prefer to lose in the first round to be honest. I've won so many finals and probably I've had my luck in the last couple of years."