Polish number four seed Agnieszka Radwanska 19, was crowned Devonshire Park champion after an epic 6-4, 7-6, 6-4, three set battle with Russia's Nadia Petrova.
The two hour and 35 minute final thrilled a near-capacity centre court crowd with Radwanska finally taking the title after a fifth match point.
In a week where the top seeds and big names dropped out of the tournament, the two players produced a c
lassic final where the result was in doubt until the last shot.
Ranwanska's skilful and accurate play contrasted with Petrova's powerful but some times wayward game.
Both players struggled to hold serve in the first set as Radwanska stormed to a 5-2 lead.
Petrova rallied and battled back to 5-4 but failed to hold her serve and the Pole closed out the first set.
Devonshire Park has witnessed some classic encounters but the second set will go down as one of the closest in history.
Radwanska gained three match points in the tie-break but Petrova served well on the big points and eventually took the tie-break 13-11 to take the game into a deserved third set.
The third set went with serve but Radwanska hit back and took the $95,000 winners cheque on the fifth match point.
After her career best win the new champion said, "I was emotional out there at the end beacuse I am exhausted. It was a tough match out there but I'm delighted to win this tournament.
"I enjoyed it in Eastbourne and I hope to be back here next year"
>> Click here to view the slideshow of the finalThe full article contains 278 words and appears in n/a newspaper.
