Davenport Beats Serena But is Eliminated from WTA Championships

After Saturday play at the WTA Championships, Amelie Mauresmo can finish No. 1 with a title in L.A.

Lindsay Davenport came back from a set down to beat No. 7 seed Serena Williams 3-6, 7-5, 6-1 Saturday at the WTA Championships, but the world No. 1 needed a straight-set victory to advance to the semifinals.

After the match Serena, who advanced to the semifinals, didn't seem to realize she'd come out on the losing end.

"She wasn't tough to play. I shot myself in the foot," Serena said. "I definitely won that match."

In her post-match conference later, Davenport laughed at the notion of Serena letting down and losing the third set to possibly help her advance to the semifinals.

"I would be lying on the floor if she said, 'I gave Lindsay a bone and tried to help her qualify,'" Davenport said. "She's great and I get along with her, but I don't think her mind works in a way that she was trying to help me out."

Davenport would have still advanced to the semifinals if Anastasia Myskina had later lost to Elena Dementieva in straight sets, but the No. 3-ranked Myskina steamrolled her countrywoman 6-3, 6-3.

"I was thinking if I play my best, I can win," Myskina said. "I had a really clear picture -- either I go home or I stay here for the semifinals."

Amelie Mauresmo, who must now win the tournament to overtake Davenport for the year-end No. 1, ended round robin play with a perfect 3-0 record by defeating Wimbledon champ and No. 6 seed Maria Sharapova 7-5, 6-4.

"I was a little tired from Friday night. I didn't have enough time to rest," said Sharapova, noting that both players had already qualified for the semifinals. "It was sort of a practice match -- I sort of enjoyed myself. She's very consistent. She knows more what she has to do to win and that comes from experience."

In Sunday's semifinals, Mauresmo faces Serena (Williams leads meetings 7-1), and Myskina faces Sharapova in an all-Russian (Myskina leads 3-0).