Radwanska takes Eastbourne crown

Radwanska finally claimed victory on her fifth match point

Fourth seed Agnieszka Radwanska, 19, clinched the International Women's Open title at Eastbourne with a hard-fought win over Nadia Petrova on Saturday.

The Polish world number 14 took the first set 6-4 and had three match points to wrap things up in the second.

But Petrova held out and took the set 7-6 (13-11) on her fourth set point.

The final set was a see-saw affair but Radwanska secured the decisive break at 5-4 and served out for victory, the title coming on her fifth match point.

World number 14 Radwanska also won at Pattaya and Istanbul this year, and joins Serena Williams and Maria Sharapova as the only players to have won three titles in 2008.

But she was helped by apparent knee and hip injuries to Petrova that plagued the Russian throughout the early stages.

Petrova, who retired injured in last year's Eastbourne semi-final against Amelie Mauresmo, was again far below her best but still dug deep to take the match into a third set against the odds.

606: DEBATE Can Radwanska cause a shock at Wimbledon?

However, she had saved some of her worst tennis for the decider and Radwanska, who herself had treatment for cramp during the match, came through.

"I really enjoyed playing this week on centre court with the rain, the sun and the wind," joked the champion after claiming her first second tier title on the WTA Tour.

"I'm very happy that I won a big event for the first time."

Petrova, who will hope she regains full fitness in time for her Wimbledon assault next week, added: "I was doing OK and in with a chance until the ninth game in the third when I made some awful mistakes. I don't know where they came from."

In the women's tournament in the Netherlands Tamarine Tanasugarn stunned third seed Dinara Safina with a straight-sets victory.

The Thai player beat Safina 7-5 6-3 to win the Ordina Open in Den Bosch and secure her first grass court title.