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Davenport best in Bank of the West

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Posted: Sunday August 01, 1999 06:56 PM

Familiar feeling: Lindsay Davenport improved to 8-1 against Venus Williams. AP

STANFORD, California (AP) -- A year later, Venus Williams is no closer to dethroning Lindsay Davenport.

Davenport controlled the latest match between the two with her power, and even showed off a little speed at the end, defeating Williams 7-6 (7-1), 6-2 in Sunday's Bank of the West Classic final for the second straight year.

Davenport, who has won eight of nine matches against Williams, beat her 6-4, 5-7, 6-4 in the final last year. Davenport used that victory as a springboard toward the U.S. Open title and the No. 1 ranking.

Williams said after the semifinals that Davenport had won most of their previous matches by being a smarter player. On Sunday, the top-seeded Davenport also was tougher on the big points.

"I was able to play important when it counted," said Davenport, who earned $80,000. "It's just one of those things where you have to concentrate harder and play better percentage tennis. It's just one of those things that come with experience."

Wlliams, seeded second, was leading 5-4 in the fist set and had two set points on Davenport's serve. But Davenport saved both and eventually forced the tiebreaker, in which Williams failed to win any of her four service points.

Davenport has won all three of her career tiebreakers against Williams.

Williams seemed to become frustrated and impatient in the second set, especially as she wasted opportunities.

In the fourth game, Williams lost her serve after holding a 40-15 lead. In the seventh game, she wasted three break points.

Williams tried taking advantage of her greater speed by using drop shots, but Davenport was able to get to each of them. On the final point of the match, Davenport raced to reach a drop shot and slammed a backhand winner past Williams.

Davenport, who has become much quicker after losing 30 pounds (13.5 kilograms) two years ago, punched the air with both fists to celebrate.

"Everybody has their strategies on beating certain players," she said. "For me, for the past 10-12 months, my movement has not been a huge issue in my losses. I always have to work on moving better. I'm not naturally as fast as Venus."

 

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