Roger Federer claimed his fifth straight Wimbledon title with a stunning five-set victory over Rafael Nadal, equalling the modern-day record of Bjorn Borg.

With Borg watching from the Royal Box on Centre Court, Federer was tested to the limit in an epic contest before sealing a 7-6 4-6 7-6 2-6 6-2 victory in three hours and 45 minutes.

It was the Swiss star's 54th consecutive victory on grass, 34 of those coming at the All England Club, and a fitting way to etch his name into the record books.

Federer slumped to the grass in relief after putting away a smash on his second match point, and the 25-year-old wiped away tears as the capacity crowd rose to acclaim a brilliant performance.

"You get lucky sometimes," Federer admitted afterwards.

"It was such a close match and I told Rafa at the net he deserved it as well."

Federer added: "To play a champion like Rafael in the final of course it means even more to me, and equalling Bjorn as well.

"He's a fantastic player and is going to be around for so much longer so I'm happy every one I get now before he takes them all."

The top seed took the opening set on a tie-break, but Nadal hit back to level the match and was often playing the better tennis, particularly from the back of the court.

After losing only his second set of the championships, Federer was looking increasingly frustrated at being unable to shake off Nadal, frustration which magnified when he failed to convert a break point in the opening game of the third set.

By the time Nadal served at 5-5, the contest had been going longer (two hours and 17 minutes) than any of Federer's previous matches in the fortnight, and was probably the toughest since last year's final between the pair.

Another tie-break was required to decide the outcome of the set and again it was Federer who came out on top, his 16th ace giving him a 4-2 lead and he took it 7-3 with the first of his three set points.

Federer looked to have seized control of the match, only to lose his serve in the opening game of the fourth set as Nadal whipped a forehand return winner past him.

To make matters worse, the world number one was then broken again in controversial circumstances in the third game.

Nadal successfully challenged a call on the baseline to create a break point, but Federer remained convinced the ball had been out, despite the evidence of Hawk-eye on the big screen.

He appealed to umpire Carlos Ramos to have the system turned off, complaining: "It's just killing me today. How in the world was that ball in?"

Ramos was unmoved but some hope for Federer came after he held serve to make it 4-1, Nadal taking a medical time-out at the change of ends to receive treatment on his right knee.

The 21-year-old appeared unaffected as he held serve on the resumption, and by holding serve again he took the set 6-2 to set up a thrilling decider.

Federer had the advantage of serving first in the decider, but Nadal had won his last seven five-set matches in a row, including back-to-back victories at Wimbledon this year.

The only five-set match Federer has played at Wimbledon came when he beat Pete Sampras in 2001, ironically ending the American's own bid for a fifth straight title, but there was to be no denying the Swiss star.

Federer saved two break points in consecutive service games, and then broke Nadal with some inspired passing shots, three forehand winners giving him a 4-2 lead.

And another break of serve then sealed an thrilling victory.

Nadal praised Federer's performance, saying: "I congratulate Roger, who has had an amazing season and five titles in a row is fantastic.

"It was a tough week with the rain but it was a good test. I was playing good and finally I can play right to the final having tough matches.

"I played for two weeks so I'm happy with that and hopefully I will come back next year."

Meanwhile, Jamie Murray became the first Briton to win a Wimbledon title in 20 years as he Jelena Jankovic triumphed in the mixed doubles final.

They defeated fifth seeds Jonas Bjorkman and Alicia Molik 6-4 3-6 6-1 on Centre Court in the last match of the championships.

Murray said: "I can't honestly ever think that I would or say that I thought I would win one (a Wimbledon title), especially this year, and also in the mixed doubles.

"But it's happened and I'm lovin' it. I don't know if it's sunk in but it feels pretty good."

Arnaud Clement and Michael Llodra became the first French men's doubles champions at the All England Club for 74 years.

They beat the defending champions Bob and Mike Bryan 6-7 (5-7) 6-3 6-4 6-4.

The ladies' final went to Liezel Huber and Cara Black who beat Katarina Srebotnik and Ai Sugiyama 3-6 6-3 6-2.

The win ensured the South Africa-Zimbabwe pairing maintained their unbeaten record in SW19 - they previously won the title in 2005.