Chanda Rubin has moved into legendary company at Eastbourne after a hard-fought victory over Conchita Martinez in the final of the Hastings Direct Championships.

The amiable American became the first player to retain the title since Martina Navratilova 12 years ago with Saturday's three-set win.

Navratilova won the event no fewer than 11 times between 1978 and 1993.

Rubin, an Eastbourne regular herself, said: "She's amazing. I don't know if I am quite up to that level, but I love coming here.

"I think I have started my winning run later than she did, but I understand why she kept coming back."

Rubin, celebrating her seventh tour win and a cheque for more than £60,000, had never successfully defended before during a 12-year career.

"It feels great to defend," said the second seed and world No. 7. "I was a favourite in terms of ranking and it feels good to win in those circumstances."

Rubin's 6-4, 3-6, 6-4 success in 2hrs and 17mins was a triumph of patience and concentration.

The final was scheduled for midday, but it was not until 5pm that she took advantage of her third match point with a high forehand volley.

A bomb hoax meant Devonshire Park was evacuated at 12.20pm.

Spectators were not allowed back in into the grounds until 1.45pm and it was almost another hour before play got underway, by which time the appropriately named Hold To Ransom had won the first race at Royal Ascot.

The match itself was a trial of perseverance for Rubin against the wily Martinez, Wimbledon champion back in 1994.

The 31-year-old Spaniard, without a tour win since her 32nd in the German Open in 2000, relies on placement more than pace.

She hits a heavily sliced backhand and looping top spin forehand, which made it difficult for Rubin to reach the net as much as she would have liked.

Only three service games were held in a first set spanning 42 minutes.

The second set was just a minute shorter but a complete contrast, Martinez securing the single break in the sixth game.

In the decider the unseeded world No. 19 suffered two injuries in a fall when she was 0-1 and 15-40 down.

Her left wrist, hurt in a fall the previous day, had to be treated and re-strapped by the trainer, and she also strained her right thigh.

Martinez left the court two games later to have the thigh strapped, by which time Rubin had moved into a seemingly unassailable 3-0 lead and simultaneously took a toilet break.

All the disruptions had an adverse affect on Rubin's game.

She wobbled badly as Martinez, having saved a couple of match points on her own serve at 2-5, broke back only for her hopes to be dashed by an instant reponse from the reigning champion.

It was a repeat of Rubin's three-set victory when they met at Eastbourne two years ago, although Martinez still leads 9-3 in contests between the pair.

The former world No 2's consolsation was a cheque for £31,000, but the injuries left her worried going into Wimbledon.

"I haven't had an X-ray on the wrist," said Martinez. "That's the next step. When I fell I did the splits and pulled my leg.

"I hope my wrist is okay. It really hurts in some movements.

"It prevented me going for my top spin backhand and from throwing the ball properly for my serve, which was really disappointing."

As for Rubin, she opens her Wimbledon challenge against Croatian Iva Majoli.

The seventh seed, one of the few genuine contenders to end the domination of the Williams' sisters, will not be comforted by the fact that Navratilova had one of her worst ever Wimbledons after retaining the Eastbourne title in 1991.

She only reached the quarter-finals, which is still further than Rubin has managed before. That is her minimum target for the next fortnight.

Rubin said: "My best result there is reaching the last 16 and I'll be disappointed if I don't do better than that this time.

"I think I have a shot if I play to my best. I always like to come over early and practice on the grass. I've been doing it for tenyears or so.

"And playing a final against someone who is so good on this surface like Conchita is a big benefit. I thought she played really well."

Lindsay Davenport and Lisa Raymond had a straight sets win over Magui Serna and Jennifer Capriati to win the doubles.