Conchita Martinez is hoping to be inspired by David Beckham joining Real Madrid as she bids for her first Eastbourne title today.

Football fan Martinez kicked fourth seed Daniela Hantuchova out of the Hastings Direct Championships with a 6-2 6-3 quarter-final victory to set up today's last four clash against Sylvia Farina Elia from Italy.

And the 1994 Wimbledon champion, from Madrid, said: "I am very pleased that David Beckham will be playing for my home town team. I am a Real Madrid fanatic and I have seen him play and he has got a great touch.

"I was surprised he came to Madrid because it looked as though he would join Barcelona, where I live.

"With Beckham in the team, it will be unbelievable. Soccer is the number one sport in Spain. We all love it."

Martinez, who has enjoyed football kick-abouts close to the practice courts at Devonshire Park this week, is keeping her fingers crossed that her Real heroes can clinch the title in their final match.

Hantuchova, 20, from Slovakia, was disappointed she failed to emulate her run to last year's semi-final.

She said: "I have managed to get a lot of practice on grass before Wimbledon."

On the debate concerning her weight, she said: "I am focussed on my tennis and will prove to people with my results that I can physically cope."