Greg Rusedski successfully defended his Hall of Fame Championships title with a three-set victory over Vince Spadea in Newport, Rhode Island, on Sunday. The British number two came from a break down in the final set to battle past the American 7-6 (7-3) 2-6 6-4 for the 15th tournament win of his career.
"I was really, really pleased to win today," Rusedski told BBC Five Live.
"It's the first time I've defended a title. I really seem to like this grass in Newport."
It is the third time he has won the event, which gave him his debut tour title in 1993.
World number 57 Spadea looked in good shape when he recovered from losing the opening set to break twice in the second and again early in the third.
But Rusedski hauled himself level at 4-4 in the decider and got what proved to be the decisive break to take victory.
"When he broke me, I just had a feeling I could still get back in the match," said the 31-year-old Briton.
"I went for it a little more and things just worked out for me.
 |  I have no excuses - I just got out-played |
"When I was down a break (in the third), I wasn't feeling too good, but I looked over at Vinny, and I still felt like I was in there.
"I started hitting my returns and he was giving me a lot of second serves. He hit four second serves that game, and I hit four pretty good forehands.
"Had I not broken there, I don't know that I'd have won today."
Spadea was bitterly disappointed to miss out on what would have been only the second title of his career.
"I wish I would have won," said the 30-year-old. "I just didn't play great. He stepped up his game and I was a little tentative.
"He took it to me in the last games of the match, that's why he won."
The American pulled out of a doubles match on Saturday to protect an abdominal strain but said the injury had not been a factor in his defeat.
"I have no excuses. I just got out-played," he said.
MMIX
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