The 19-year-old Polish number four seed was in action for two hours 36 minutes in an energy-sapping final and clocked up more than eight hours of court time throughout the week to land the $95,000 (£48,000) winners' cheque.

Radwanska, who became the first Polish player to win a WTA tournament and surpass $1 million in career prize money said, "I was quite emotional at the end because I was exhausted. It has been a tough week and to play a final like that was very hard.

"I have to play on Monday (Wimbledon) and one day of rest after a tough match is not really enough. I feel very tired.

"I am so happy to win my first big tournament and without doubt this is the biggest win of my career. I have never lost in the final of a tournament and I'm very happy to keep that statistic going.

"The atmosphere on centre court was great. Here the people are very good and they love tennis. After that second set the crowd were up and they seemed to enjoy it more. I could hear a few Polish shouts from the crowd as well and that made me feel good."

The win takes Radwanska to number 11 in the world rankings. She reached the quarter-final of the 2008 Australian Open and the fourth round of the French. Her victory at Devonshire Park will make her a a genuine contender for the Wimbledon crown alongside the likes of Maria Sharapova, the Williams sisters and Ana Ivanovic.

"I always look forward to Wimbledon and will give it my best shot," she said.

At 5ft 7ins the 2006 Wimbledon junior champion is not the most powerful on tour but her non fussy and accurate play consistently forced errors from her opponents.

Indeed, Petrova's game in the final was riddled with errors as Radwanska closed out a first set 6-4 where both players struggled to hold serve.

The second was a treat for the Devonshire Park crowd. With Wimbledon just days away, the two players slugged out a tie break which Petrova eventually won 13-11 after saving three match points.

Both players had injury concerns as the third set took its toll. At 4-4 a tired looking Petrova lost her service game with unforced errors and Radwanska held her serve and her nerve to take the title after a fifth match point.

She added, "I was very focused in the third set. It was unbelievable to win a match like this and I am so happy. Now I am fighting to get into the top 10."

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