Davenport Wins; Mauresmo, H-H on Wednesday at New HavenPosted on August 23, 2006 NEW HAVEN, CT, USA -- Lindsay Davenport started her Pilot Pen Tennis presented by Michelob Ultra title defense in fine fashion, defeating Katarina Srebotnik, 63 63, Tuesday in the first round. It was Davenport's first victory since March.
The former world No.1 missed most of the summer due to a persistent back injury and started practicing six weeks ago. She made her comeback earlier this month at Los Angeles but lost her opening match. "I got off to a little bit of a slow start," Davenport said. "But I'm happy I've got my first match under my belt. This was really my target tournament so I'm happy with the goal of coming here and winning a match and playing better. I feel like I've learned a lot from this and hopefully will carry it with me." Davenport made the final here in 1999, 2001, 2002 and 2003 and finally won last year, defeating Amelie Mauresmo in the final. Venus Williams stopped Davenport in her first three title attempts and Jennifer Capriati prevailed in 2003 after Davenport retired due to a left foot injury. "I'm not expecting miracles this week but I hope I can play well," said Davenport, who will play Francesca Schiavone on Wednesday. "I don't know whether it will be this week, next week or maybe it takes a month for it all to come back together. I feel like this last week I've been practicing a lot better than the previous five weeks and I feel if I can keep making those kind of improvements, I'll be back to playing well." No.5 seed Svetlana Kuznetsova and lucky loser Samantha Stosur were the first players to enter the quarterfinals of this $600,000, Tier II event. Kuznetsova won her second three set match of the tournament. After needing three sets to take down Jill Craybas on Monday, the Russian had another tough one Tuesday but prevailed, 60 26 64, against Tatiana Golovin. She will next face either Daniela Hantuchova or No.3 seed Elena Dementiva. Stosur ousted Chinese qualifier Sun Tiantian, 46 61 62. Two weeks ago at Los Angeles, she notched her first career Top 10 victory against Davenport. Up next awaits either No.4 seed Nadia Petrova or Marion Bartoli. Other Tuesday winners were Galina Voskoboeva, Mara Santangelo and Daniela Hantuchova. On Wednesday, top seed Mauresmo, No.2 Justine Henin-Hardenne, No.3 Dementieva and No.4 Nadia Petrova make their debuts. -- WTA |
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