Rafael Nadal won his first Hamburg Masters title with an epic 7-5 6-7 (3/7) 6-3 win over world number one Roger Federer.

Nadal showed signs of his semi-final exertions against Novak Djokovic as he fell 5-1 down in the first set.

But the world number two reversed the double break to claim the set, before Federer took the second on a tie-break.

And Nadal was always in control as he claimed the third with a minimum of fuss.

Nadal was simply not at the races early on and showed signs of an injury which could have hindered him.

But the Spaniard fought back in stunning fashion with a run of seven unanswered games as he started to show his usual dominance on clay.

Federer was again a break up and serving for the set at 5-3 in the second as he attempted to deny Nadal an 11th Masters title.

But the Spaniard broke back with a glorious crosscourt forehand after Federer had saved two break points.

After losing three consecutive games, Federer held serve to steady the ship.

Nadal took the set into a tie-break but he sent a forehand long to hand Federer the initiative and the Swiss took full advantage to take the second set.

But Nadal claimed an early break in the third and never looked back.

Some fine touches at the net and a forehand winner gave the Spaniard three match points and he served out the match at the first attempt with an angled backhand.