American Lindsay Davenport celebrated her return to the world's top spot with another title.

Davenport captured her fourth title here with a 7-6 (7/5) 6-3 victory over local favourite Patty Schnyder in Sunday's final of the Zurich Open.

By reaching the quarter-finals at this tournament, Davenport will regain the world's top spot from Belgium's Kim Clijsters when the rankings are released on Monday.

She didn't stop there as she improved to an impressive 22-2 all-time record at this event with her first title here since 2001. The American also won consecutive crowns here in 1997-98.

Davenport has now won six titles this season - including three on the trot.

"It's great to be sitting here, having won six titles this year and again having a chance to finish the year ranked number one," Davenport said.

"You never get sick of winning. I mean, I've won my last three tournaments in a row, but I'm still really motivated to do well."

Overall, Davenport claimed her 11th career title in Tier I events, the most among active players.

On the all-time list, she moved into a tie for fourth with Chris Evert and Gabriela Sabatini.

Schnyder, who beat Davenport in the 2002 final to prevent a second successful title defence, has now lost eight of her 10 meetings against the American.

After losing the first set, Schnyder scored a service break in the fourth game of the second for a 3-1 lead, but Davenport reeled off the five games to claim the title.

"I faced an opponent today who was ready for everything," the Swiss player said.

"I gave it everything I had and it wasn't good enough. When she starts hitting really deep and hard its tough to stay with her."

Currently ranked eighth in the world, Schnyder took strong step towards qualifying for next month's WTA Tour Championships in Los Angeles.

She had failed to make it past the second round in her three previous events.

"Still, I'm satisfied with my week,'' Schnyder said.

"I played at a really high level and that's what I have to take with me for the next few weeks to qualify for Los Angeles."