Davenport sees off Mauresmo to claim 50th title

Lindsay Davenport beat Amelie Mauresmo 6-2, 6-4 in the Filderstadt Grand Prix final on Sunday to claim the 50th singles title of her career.

The top-seeded Davenport has won five tournaments this year, following victories in Dubai, Amelia Island, New Haven and Bali. She also finished runner-up at the Australian Open, Wimbledon, Tokyo indoor tournament and Indian Wells.

"I was really excited to get 50 titles. It means a lot to me," the American, who goes home to California before returning next weekend to play in Zurich, told reporters.

"It's been a really great week. I felt I played really well at certain times and been able to win some good matches."

Davenport was barely troubled in the opening set, giving up just four points in five games after Mauresmo, the third-seeded Frenchwoman, had held for 1-0.

Her big forehand had Mauresmo on the defensive, especially in the first set, and the American broke 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 the American'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 save two break points.

Mauresmo hit a forehand long on the first and Davenport closed out the set with another high volley.

"Whenever you're out there playing a final, the best start you can get

FINE VOLLEYS

Mauresmo competed much better in the second set, returning more effectively and striking fine volleys.

Her enterprise eventually paid off and she broke Davenport to lead 4-2, but the American reeled off the next four games to clinch victory.

"I thought I was really in control and that's what I wanted to be," Davenport said. "I felt like I was playing really well and dictating the points, and even when I lost a few games I really felt I made some errors but was hitting the ball well.

"So even though I didn't play a great game at 2-3 in the second and put a few errors in and got broken, I was able to come back right away and finish off with four really solid games."

Mauresmo was disappointed by her serving and felt it had allow Davenport to dictate.

"I started with not putting enough first serves in and that gave her some opportunities on the second serve to step in and really play hard. I'm not very happy about that," Mauresmo said.

"She can be very difficult to play, especially when she serves the way she did today. Except for that game in the middle of the second set when she gave me a little bit more opportunity to be able to break her, it was a pretty impressive way for her to play today."