Davenport captures top spot

Lindsay Davenport failed to end a heated debate on who should be ranked number one in women's tennis when she captured the year-end top spot on Saturday.

With everybody arguing over whether Jennifer Capriati was really a better player than Venus Williams, Davenport has crept up after a successful indoor season to finish the year in top spot for the second time in her career.

"I know it sounds terrible but I don't really care," she said, after shrugging off a brave challenge from Belgian teenager Kim Clijsters for a place in the final of the season-end WTA Championships.

"To get there the first time was an amazing feeling but this is different because I've been number one off an on for a few years."

Davenport, who will knock Capriati off the top when the final 2001 rankings are released on Monday, said earlier this week that she felt she did not deserve to be number one because she has not done that well in Grand Slams this year, failing to make one final.

Capriati, whose fairytale comeback took her via Australian and French Open victories to the top of the rankings last month, shone when it mattered and was the romantics' favourite.

The former teenage sensation, whose career was once derailed when she lost interest in the sport and dabbled in drugs, would have remained in the driving seat had she reached the final in Munich.

But she was hampered by fever and a throat infection when she lost to France's Sandrine Testud in the quarter-finals in Munich on Friday, leaving Davenport needing to beat Clijsters to take over.

UNCONCERNED

Capriati was not too concerned about being knocked off the top.

"It doesn't really matter to me," Capriati said. "I've been there at least. I've been number one and next year I can start all over again."

But what of Venus Williams, regarded by many as the best player in the world?

Like Capriati she has won two Grand Slams this year -- Wimbledon and the U.S. Open -- and is often considered to be in a class of her own.

A lack of dedication has cost her dear, however. She has played fewer tournaments than her rivals and irritated WTA officials by pulling out of the year-end Championships at the last minute.

The ruling body has opened an investigation to determine whether a wrist injury genuinely prevented her from playing in the Bavarian city and her late withdrawal could cost her $140,000 in year-end bonus money.

Before heading home to cure her cold and enjoy a well-deserved rest, Capriati said she was tired of hearing Williams should be ahead her.

"If she should be the world number one, why isn't she?" she asked.

Davenport said she was fully aware of the endless discussions between experts on who should enjoy the view from the top.

HUGE DEBATE

"There's a huge debate in women's tennis about who should be number one," said the 25-year-old, who won three tournaments in a row before coming to Munich and had racked up 15 straight victories before Sunday's final.

"I've had a very consistent year and it's great to end it at number one but I don't put a whole lot of emphasis on it.

"I'm not going to sit here and defend myself. I can't help it if Venus only plays nine or ten tournaments and if Jennifer didn't win more tour events. I think it's pretty obvious they would be number one then."

Serena Williams is one person who would not mind being in the number one spot.

The younger Williams sister, arguably a more complete player than Venus, has done well in Munich, her first tournament since losing to Venus in the U.S. Open final in September.

She served a lethal cocktail of power and skill to down Testud 6-3 6-0 in 54 minutes on Saturday and looks likely to give Davenport a tough game in Sunday's final.

"There are a lot of players who are ranked above me and shouldn't be," said Serena, who started the week in 10th position in the WTA rankings.

Like Venus, Serena has played few tournaments this year but she promised that would change next year.

"I'll be everywhere," she said. "You guys will get tired of seeing me."