Roger Federer took the upper hand against Rafael Nadal on Tuesday night with a 4-6 6-3 6-3 win in a charity exhibition match in the Swiss city of Zurich.

After losing the opening set 4-6, Federer hit back against the world number one to take the next two sets 6-3, 6-3.

The match was watched by a capacity home crowd including Formula One world champion Sebastian Vettel and skiing champions Lindsey Vonn and Didier Cuche.

The 10,500 tickets for the “Match for Africa” were sold out within a few minutes when they went on sale on September 1.

The world’s top two in tennis this year moved on to Madrid for another exhibition match last night, this time to raise money for the Spaniard’s charity.

“Both of us realise we are in a very privileged position, where we have everything in life, the least we can do is to help others,” said Nadal.

Federer has been hoping to raise around one million dollars from the event for his foundation to support projects for African children in education and sport.

“You have to look at the long term. When you can help 1,500 children to go to school, it’s great but you need a lot around it: how do the children get to school, what do they eat at school, do they have toilets... and that’s where we come in,” Federer said on Swiss television TSR.

The 29 year-old Swiss remains on the wrong end of an 8-14 career record on the professional circuit against Nadal, breaking a six-match losing streak against the Spaniard this year.