The 20-year-old Spaniard came from a set down to beat the seasoned Swiss 1-6, 6-1, 6-4, 7-6 (4) after three hours under the scorching sun in Paris.

Federer, who was bidding for a fourth consecutive Grand Slam championship, was not able to match the Spanish ace who extended his record clay-court winning streak to 60 games.

Nadal became the youngest man to win back-to-back French opens since Swede Bjorn Borg in 1974-75.