British tennis legend Virginia Wade today tipped Kim Clijsters to follow up her Eastbourne title with her first Grand Slam triumph at Wimbledon.

The Belgian former world No.1 beat Russian qualifier Vera Douchevina 7-5, 6-0 in Saturday's final of the Hastings Direct Championships at Devonshire Park.

Wade, who presented the trophy to Clijsters in her role as tournament ambassador, believes the Eastbourne seventh seed can go on to complete a double last achieved by Jana Novotna seven years ago.

The 1977 Wimbledon champion, asked if Clijsters can win at the All England Club, said: "I think she could, absolutely. She just needs to convert situations where she is on the verge of winning.

"I thought she was hitting the ball really well. She told me 'I'm not quite there yet' but that's fine. She accomplished what she wanted to accomplish at Eastbourne and she'll settle in.

"She has got enough tennis under her belt and she'll go from strength to strength."

Clijsters could face top seed Lindsay Davenport in the quarter-finals at Wimbledon, a re-run of their clash at the recent French Open which the American won.

Wade said: "She has got an interesting draw. Davenport is real motivation, because she usually does so well against her and she must be pretty miffed about losing to her in Paris."

Clijsters missed Wimbledon last year with a career-threatening wrist injury which, together with a knee injury, has also limited her appearances this season.

Wade reckons it could work in her favour. "In many ways to have some time off is just invaluable," she said. "Otherwise they drive themselves into the ground."