Davenport captures WTA Memphis title

MEMPHIS (Tennessee)—Fourth seed Lindsay Davenport won her 55th career WTA title by overpowering Olga Govortsova 6-2, 6-1 in the final of the WTA/ATP Memphis hardcourt tournament on Saturday. Davenport, who opened her season with a win in Auckland, New Zealand, needed just over one hour to dispatch World No 49 Govortsova. The 31-year-old Davenport improved her match record to 13-2 this season.
“I obviously had no idea coming back what was going to happen,” said Davenport. “I’ve been smart about my schedule and it’s hard work but it’s been really fulfilling.” Davenport returned to competition after the birth of her first child in June. During a remarkable run over the past few months, the former No. 1 has risen from 234th to 46th in the WTA rankings. Playing in her first American tournament since the 2006 US Open, Davenport was playing the 19-year-old Govortsova for the first time.
“After I got through my first round I felt confident throughout the rest of the week,” said Davenport, who tied Virginia Wade for No. 7 on the all-time singles winners list. “My draw opened up a bit with the upsets. To win here comfortably gives me confidence with the upcoming bigger tournaments where I will have to play some Top 10 players.” Govortsova defeated 2007 finalist Shahar Peer in the semi-finals.
On the men’s side, Sweden’s Robin Soderling, who out-gunned top-seeded American Andy Roddick in the quarter-finals on Friday, knocked off Czech Radek Stepanek 7-6 (7/2), 6-3. In the final he’ll face Belgian Steve Darcis, who rallied to beat Swedish veteran Jonas Bjorkman 4-6, 6-1, 6-4 in the other men’s semi-final.
“I feel very good and I love to play here,” said Soderling, who has yet to be broken in 35 service games. “The center court suits my game and I played some really good matches here two years ago when I reached the final.” Darcis, who won his first title in Amersfoort as a qualifier last summer, advanced to his second career final. Soderling will seeking his third career ATP title in his seventh final. In six tournaments - including this dual-gender hardcourt event - since returning in September, Davenport has gone 24-2 and claimed four titles - at Bali, Quebec City and Auckland and here.—Agencies