TENNIS HAMBURG MASTERS FINAL: RAFAEL NADAL gained his revenge and Roger Federer answered his critics. Nadal claimed the only major clay-court title he lacked; Federer suggested he may be in good enough shape to hope again to win the only major, the French, to elude him.

Yesterday's Masters Series final was a marvellous contrast between two great players close to their peaks, with stomach-churning momentum swings and an outcome that remained uncertain almost to the end.

Nadal's 7-5, 6-7, 6-3 victory, in two hours 52 minutes, came despite being taken to the brink in an even longer match with Novak Djokovic on Saturday and despite a leg injury that made him walk with a stiff and stalking gait.

Federer lost with honour; and competed with such passion that he once whacked the net in anger after missing a volley and later hurtled a ball at the sliding roof.

These small eruptions were not entirely surprising, even for him, for they occurred while losing two good leads, which more than anything cost him his title. He was 5-1 up in the first set and 5-2 in the second and both times Nadal - who called it the "strangest" match between them - pegged him back. The third set hinged on two points: one break point taken by Nadal, one break back missed by Federer.

Afterwards Federer was disappointed with his serve; it was broken six times, albeit against one of the finest returners the game has seen.

Importantly for Federer, with the French Open starting this Sunday, is that he is still developing different ways to attack Nadal, such as solidifying his backhand cross-court drive, and that he feels fit. "I've confirmed I'm playing well and I can say I'm feeling well," he said. "Playing three hours was no problem whatsoever from a physical standpoint."

Nadal does have physical difficulties but his resilience is extraordinary. He had, he admitted, "trouble putting my foot down" after the Rome Masters, and for long periods against Djokovic he looked as though he might lose the world number two spot he has held for a record 147 weeks. He also had on-court treatment in the first set yesterday, followed by a test after the match on what appears to be a hamstring strain. But he plans only two days rest before preparing for Paris.

"The test showed something but it was something small. Tomorrow I will have another test. But I believe if I can finish the match, it can't be that important," Nadal concluded with the optimism of a 21-year-old.

It may be the last time a Masters Series is played in the German port city. The ATP wants to replace the Hamburg event with one in Madrid and the German Tennis Federation (DTB) has challenged the plan in a US court. A decision is expected in August.

Meanwhile, Serbia's Jelena Jankovic said she feels ready to take retired Justine Henin's French Open title and her world number one slot after winning the Italian Open for the second consecutive year yesterday. "She was my worst opponent last year on clay. She was the only one I couldn't beat and she stopped me winning many tournaments on clay," Jankovic said after beating France's Alize Cornet 6-2, 6-2 to claim her sixth career title.

"Now she's not playing I have a bigger chance. I'm playing well at the moment. I think I have a big opportunity to do well at the French Open.

"My goal and my dream is to become the number one in the world and I think I'm on the right track. If I continue like this, I have a big chance."

Jankovic's past encounters with Henin included a defeat in the semi-final of the 2007 French Open. The 23-year-old, who is world number four before Henin drops off the rankings today, also expressed delight at completing a Serbian double in Italy after Novak Djokovic won the Rome Masters last week. "It's great for Serbian tennis. It's a Serbian revolution," she said. "I'm so happy we are doing well. The Serbian players are doing our best to represent our country in the best light.

"Whenever we go on court we try to be good role models and try to fight to win matches and also be very fair and professional."

Cornet was also optimistic about her chances of doing well at the French Open after going from the qualifying rounds to reach her first big tournament final.

"I think for French people I'm the best player on clay right now," the 18-year-old said. "So, yes, I go to Paris with a big goal. I want to play good there because it's a very special event for me. I think I have the (right) level to win some matches."

• Guardian Service