STEFAN EDBERG'S pursuit of a farewell victory in his last appearance at Queen's ended yesterday when Boris Becker won the Stella Artois championship 6-4, 7-6 11 years to the day after he captured his first ATP tour crown at the same venue.

The London based Swede received an emotional send off from 6,000 centre court fans, a tribute from Becker, an inscribed tankard from the organisers and a £31,313 runners up prize.

Edberg, 30, is retiring in November to spend more time with his family but 28 year old Becker has clearly been rejuvenated by his Australian Open triumph earlier this year. He is working up a head of steam for Wimbledon, collecting the £53,333 top prize for his 103rd grasscourt win.

Becker also equalled John McEnroe's record of four titles at Queen's without losing a set and Edberg readily accepts that the German will be among the Wimbledon contenders.

"Boris is always a threat at Wimbledon and is bound to be one of the favourites this time," said the Swede, who added optimistically: "I've told him I will see him again in three weeks because I feel I am playing well too."

It was always going to be Becker's day after he achieved the first service break in the Stella final for three years in the seventh game.

His service reached 122mph as he clinched the first set but Ed berg forced him to a tie break in the second, even after the German broke again in the 11th game. Ed berg began the tie break with a double fault and Becker ruthlessly killed him off, 7-3.