In a match filled with spectacular exchanges at dramatic moments, Spanish sensation Nadal beat an unseeded but unyielding Mariano Puerta 6-7 (6), 6-3, 6-1, 7-5 to win the French Open.

With Sunday’s victory, the young king of clay earned a congratulatory handshake from the king of Spain.

“This is incredible,” said Nadal, who turned 19 Friday. “It’s a dream come true.”

The No. 4-seeded Nadal overcame three set points in the final set and became the youngest men’s Grand Slam champion since Michael Chang won the French Open in 1989 at age 17. Nadal’s the first man to win the French Open on his initial try since Mats Wilander, who claimed the first of his seven Grand Slam titles at Roland Garros in 1982.

“I fight every ball,” Nadal said in English. “When I have problems in the match, I fight, I fight, I fight every game.”