Davenport beats Mauresmo to win in Filderstadt
Grabs 50th singles title of her career

FILDERSTADT (Germany)—Lindsay Davenport claimed the 50th singles title of her career on Sunday when she defeated Amelie Mauresmo of France 6-2 6-4 in the final of the Filderstadt Grand Prix.
The victory by Davenport denied third-seeded Mauresmo her 400th career singles victory. The two women met in last year’s final when Mauresmo retired after the first set.
The top-seeded Davenport has now won five titles this year, following victories in Dubai, Amelia Island, New Haven and Bali. She finished as runner-up at the Australian Open, Wimbledon, Tokyo indoor tournament and Indian Wells.
Davenport was barely troubled in the opening set, giving up just four points in five games after Mauresmo had held for 1-0.
Her big forehand had Mauresmo on the defensive, especially in the first set, and the American broke Mauresmo to love in the third game.
Mauresmo frequently came to the net but left herself exposed to Davenport’s passing shots and she found it difficult to deal with the weight and depth of Davenport’s groundstrokes.
A strong return allowed Davenport to break again for 4-1, and her only tense moment came as she served for the set and had to fight off two break points.
Mauresmo hit a forehand long on the first and Davenport served and hit a high volley off the return of the second before closing out the set with another high volley.
Mauresmo competed much better in the second set, returning more effectively in the short rallies and striking fine volleys at the net.
Her enterprise eventually paid off and she was able to break Davenport to lead 4-2, but Davenport responded by winning the next four games and the match.
A forehand winner immediately recovered the break, and Mauresmo put a backhand long from Davenport’s strong return to leave Davenport serving for the match.
The tournament, which has been held in Filderstadt since 1978, will next year move to an arena in Stuttgart.—Agencies