Andreas Seppi has claimed his first ATP Tour title with victory over Janko Tipsarevic at the AEGON International in Eastbourne after the Serb withdrew through injury with the Italian leading 7-6(5), 3-6, 5-3.

Seppi, who had earlier beaten Igor Kunitsyn of Russia 6-4, 2-6, 6-4 to take his place in the final, was serving for the match at 5-3 in the third set when Tipsarevic was forced to withdraw with a leg injury.

The 27 year-old from Caldaro, Italy, completed his first career victory against the world No.30 after two hours and 35 minute

"It's a special moment for me" said Seppi after his victory. "I didn't expect to win my first title on grass, but I really enjoy playing on this surface. I had some good results also in the past, so I'm happy.

"I know have two days to recover before Wimbledon but I go there with a good feeling, and I will try and give my best as always."

Seppi broke his higher ranked opponent five times during the match, the last of which coming in the penultimate game of the final. In a closely fought contest he raced into a 4-0 lead in the decider and although Tipsarevic threatened a revival, the Italian held his nerve to secure victory at 2015 BST.

It was a disappointing end to an excellent week for the third seed Tipsarevic, who complained of bad light towards the end of the contest and took a painful tumble which required a medical time out as Seppi attempted to serve out the match in game nine.

"I twisted and injured my leg" said Tipsarevic afterwards. " I'm taking an ultrasound now. But at the moment I'm having difficulties walking.

"It's not that I didn't want to lose but I needed to give my best, which means I need to run for every point, which I was not able to."

"This grass court is my favorite surface and Wimbledon is my favourite tournament of the year. I have a tricky enough opponent in the first round that if I want to have any chance of beating him, I need to be 100% healthy."

Seppi also reached the final of the doubles with partner Grigor Dimitrov where they faced Jonathan Erlich and Andy Ram. After persistent rain on Friday meant Saturday's play could not be completed, the players took to the courts in Roehampton, London to complete the match on Sunday with Erlich and Ram claiming the title, 6-3, 6-3.

Earlier in the day Marion Bartoli claimed the women's title with victory against Petra Kvitova. After rain prevented any play on Friday, the tournament organisers managed to successfully stage both men's and women's semi-finals and finals on Saturday as the curtain fell on the final grass court tournament before The Championships, Wimbledon which begins on Monday.