Sweden's Jonas Bjorkman fired out a Wimbledon warning to first-round opponent Lleyton Hewitt by claiming his first tour title in four years at the Samsung Open in Nottingham.

Bjorkman defeated Middlesex-based Australian Wayne Arthurs in three sets to retain the title he won in 1998 and complete his Wimbledon preparations in style.

And another Australian, world number one and All England Club top seed Hewitt, already suffering from a stomach virus, will no doubt be feeling a bit more queasy after watching Bjorkman's 6-2 6-7 6-2 victory.

The 30-year-old lost his first set of the week in the second set tie-break but did not lose his serve once all week as he beat top seed Andy Roddick in the first round and third seed Greg Rusedski in the semi-finals.

It was a remarkable turnaround in fortunes considering his last match victory before this week had come in mid-March, and he had lost his last seven matches.

"It's very emotional for me," said Bjorkman, who beat Tim Henman in the fourth round of the Australian Open in January.

"It's probably the best confidence boost I could get for my career and I am really delighted.

"I never really thought I could be out there winning again. I am so glad and I think the next couple of years could be really good.

"If someone had been putting money on me it would have been very good odds this week. I have been working hard and playing good tennis but suffering from a lack of confidence.

"My problem is that I am very hard on myself, I put myself down more than I should. That's why it can change quickly for me, if I lose a couple of matches I can get on a bad run.

"I'm trying to be more relaxed and positive but going into this week I did not have too many hopes. But that's the good thing about tennis. A lot of people around me have been telling me it could change and I am learning that.

"Once I won the first match that helped me a lot confidence-wise."

Two breaks of the much-feared Arthurs' serve gave Bjorkman the first set comfortably, although the Pinner-based left-hander was unfortunate to be on the end of a debatable line call for the first break.

Bjorkman's backhand cross court looked fractionally wide on the television replays but umpire Gerry Armstrong was unmoved by Arthurs' protests and Bjorkman was already sitting in his chair contemplating a 3-2 lead.

That soon became 5-2 when Arthurs amazingly netted an easy backhand with the court wide open for the second break and Bjorkman served out with ease.

The second set was much tighter and was eventually edged by Arthurs in the tie-break, his 20th ace levelling the match.

Bjorkman was not to be denied becoming the first man to win the title twice however and fittingly produced the shot of the match, a sublime running forehand winner squeezed down the line, to earn a break in the deciding set.

Arthurs then saved three match points in the eighth game but another superb winner gave Bjorkman victory and sets up a mouthwatering clash with Hewitt on Monday or Tuesday.

"Playing against the top seed in the first round for the third week in a row is going to be tough but if you manage to get through you can take over the number one's position in the draw," added Bjorkman.

"It's going to be really, really hard. He returns well and makes less unforced errors. It's going to be a battle but there is no pressure on me.

"I'm not sure if he has a stomach virus, maybe he just wanted a couple of days off. I'm sure he will be sharp when we play."