TENNIS She's back: Davenport takes over the top spot

A strong summer convinced the American that she can still contend.
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Back at No. 1, Lindsay Davenport is putting retirement on hold and plans to play in next year's Australian Open.
Davenport officially moved atop the WTA Tour computer rankings for the sixth time Monday and said she tentatively has worked out a 2005 schedule through March.
The three-time Grand Slam tournament champion, who's 28, said at Wimbledon that she thought this would be her final season. But a strong summer, including four straight titles and a 22-match winning streak, convinced Davenport that she can still contend.
Full of optimism
"I was interested to hear that actually no player has retired at No. 1, but I don't think that's going to matter at all," Davenport said in a conference call from her hometown of Laguna Beach, Calif.
"I feel like I play for the opportunity and the chance to win Grand Slams. I had two chances this year at Wimbledon and the U.S. Open," she added. "I'm looking forward to going to Australia and trying to win again, and that's definitely the way I'm headed right now."
Davenport moved up one place to overtake Amelie Mauresmo, who spent about a month at the top. The Frenchwoman was just the second player to reach No. 1 in the WTA rankings without winning a major.
Davenport first led the rankings in October 1998, then had brief stays in 1999 and 2000, last holding the spot in January 2002. She leads the tour in match victories this season with a 61-8 record and in titles with seven.
She wasn't able to add to her major titles (1998 U.S. Open, 1999 Wimbledon, 2000 Australian Open), but Davenport did reach the semifinals at the U.S. Open and Wimbledon this season, eliminated by the eventual champion each time.
Slowed by injury
At Flushing Meadows, Davenport lost to Svetlana Kuznetsova in three sets, hampered by a left hip injury.
"I feel like it was bad luck at the U.S. Open. That's one of the reasons why I think I've been able to be so successful and so consistent this year and get to No. 1 -- I've been pretty healthy," she said. "I was pretty disappointed after the U.S. Open. I feel like after a couple of years I've gotten my game back and my confidence back."
Mauresmo is second, followed by three Russians: French Open champion Anastasia Myskina, Kuznetsova, and two-time major runner-up Elena Dementieva. Justine Henin-Hardenne, No. 1 until Mauresmo replaced her Sept. 13, tumbled from No. 3 to No. 6.