Third seed Lindsay Davenport out-slugged
error-prone Serena Williams 6-1 6-3 in just over an hour to capture her fourth
JP Morgan Chase Open.
Born in Palos Verdes, Davenport added this title to ones she took just a short
way to her home in Laguna Beach in 1996, 1998 and 2001.
Davenport was in command throughout the first set, which lasted just 21
minutes, combining searing groundstrokes with a sizzling serve while committing
just one unforced error against the tournament's top seed.
Williams offered more resistance in the next set before Davenport scored a
decisive service break to go 5-3 up.
She won when Williams smacked a backhand service return into the net.
Davenport ended a four-match losing streak against Williams dating back to the
2000 US Open.
She won for the second time in as many weeks after capturing the Bank of the
West Classic over Venus Williams, Serena's sister.
While Davenport has been on top form this summer, Williams is winless in six
consecutive tournaments, matching her longest drought since 1998-99.