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Top seed
Lindsay Davenport defeated Switzerland's Patty Schnyder
7-6 6-3 to win the Zurich Open on Sunday, her sixth title
of the season.
The American's tally puts her in second place this year
behind the eight titles of Belgian Kim Clijsters, and
Sunday's victory was her third tournament win in six weeks
after triumphs in Bali and Filderstadt.
Davenport's victory also continued her remarkable run at
this event. She has now claimed four Zurich titles and in
her six appearances has never failed to reach the final.
Her only defeats were by Martina Hingis in 2000 and by
Schnyder in 2002.
"You never get sick of winning," said Davenport, who will
return to the number one ranking on Monday. "It wasn't the
easiest tournament I've ever won. Today was tough.
"She mixes up the ball so much you never really get any
rhythm, and finally I got a little more consistent and was
able to win the big points today."
Davenport, who had dinner with men's world number one
Roger Federer on Saturday evening, served for the opening
set at 5-4 but then had to fight off three set points.
She often looked sluggish and was unable to overpower her
opponent, who showed no sign of being intimidated playing
for the title in front of her home supporters.
Both players had difficulty holding serve in most of the
early games, and Davenport had to hold off break points
when down 2-1 and 3-2 before breaking Schnyder to love to
lead 4-3.
Davenport then served for the set at 5-4 but she netted a
forehand to set up break point and Schnyder hit a winning
forehand to level at 5-5.
Davenport was soon in danger of dropping the set when
sixth seeded Schnyder led 6-5 and 40-0 on the American's
serve.
ALMOST BACKFIRED
But Davenport won the next five points to take the set to
a tiebreak, which she edged 7-5.
With neither player able to take command, the second set
also remained closely contested.
After the first three games went against serve, Davenport
broke to level at 3-3, and in a lengthy game at 4-3 the
top seed earned another vital break when Schnyder netted a
forehand.
"This whole week wasn't easy," said Davenport, who saved
two match points against Daniela Hantuchova in the second
round.
"I expected tough matches and got them. It was a really up
and down match, but I finally felt at the end from being
down 3-1 to win that set 6-3 I was a little more
consistent, a little more aggressive, and I was able to
finish off the match strong. That was important.
"I didn't make it easy on myself, flying back home from
Germany and coming back late, and it almost backfired in
my first match. But I've been able to get better as the
week went on."
Schnyder was disappointed she had not been able to
capitalize on her set points, but admitted she was second
best on the day.
"It's just like that sometimes," she said. "I faced an
opponent today who was just ready for everything I had
today, and she was maybe lucky in the first set to win it
but she was definitely better over the two sets."
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Singles
1R beat
Gisela Dulko 6-1 6-3
2R beat Magdalena Maleeva 6-3 6-2
QF beat Flavia Pennetta 2-6 6-4 6-2
SF beat Ana Ivanovic 6-2 6-1
F lost Lindsay Davenport
6-7 3-6
Doubles with Morariu
1R beat Karatantcheva/Razzano 6-1 6-3
QF lost Black/Stubbs 3-6 1-6
Photos
Gallery 1
Gallery 2
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