It took a local girl to stop Lindsay Davenport in Zurich.

Switzerland's Patty Schnyder saved one match point in Sunday's final before battling her way to victory in the Swisscom Challenge.

Schnyder prevailed 6-7 (5/7) 7-6 (10/8) 6-3 in 2 hours, 15 minutes for her first victory over the second-seeded American in six meetings.

"This is the biggest win of my career," the 23-year-old Schnyder said.

"I had so many emotions throughout the week, playing in front of my home crowd. It feels great to be champion here."

Schnyder stayed alive when a Davenport backhand went into the net at 7/6 in the second set tie-break.

She broke early in the third, but Davenport broke back before Schnyder took a 5-3 lead and held serve to close out the second-longest final in the competition's history.

"It was so close from the beginning," said Schnyder, who had never got past the second round here in seven previous visits.

"I was a bit nervous in the first set, but I kept fighting and we had some great rallies.

"She was trying everything to beat me, but I'm happy with the way I played."

Davenport was playing in her sixth final here in as many appearances.

She won the crown in 1997, 1998 and 2001 and lost the 2000 final to another Swiss star, Martina Hingis.

"This was such a close match, so many points could have changed the outcome," Davenport said.

"I had to come for some winners, but I also made some errors. But I'm happy that I was able to compete at a much higher level than I thought I would.

"So for that reason, I'm not so disappointed with the loss."

The 26-year-old has been bothered by an ankle injury and has had to withdraw from next week's Generali Ladies Linz tournament.

"Right now, it's hurting and it will probably hurt even more after the painkillers stop working," she said.

"I'm not able to go and compete in Linz, I need a week off to rest my ankle."

"Hopefully I will be OK for the Championships (the season-ending event in Los Angeles).

"It was my goal to finish the year in my hometown."

Davenport missed the first half of the season after undergoing right knee surgery in January.