AMELIA ISLAND, Florida - Top-seeded American Lindsay
Davenport has made a habit of seeing a tournament to its
completion.
Davenport, the world's top ranked player, routed No. 7 Nadia
Petrova of Russia, 6-0, 6-3, Saturday at the $585,000 Bausch
Lomb Championships to advance to her fifth straight final.
Capturing the claycourt match in just 48 minutes, Davenport
dominated play in all aspects, recording 29 winners, including
eight aces, and breaking Petrova on five of nine chances. She
only committed 11 unforced errors.
"I went through a couple of games where I didn't return that
well, but other than that I thought I was controlling the points
and getting her on the run," said Davenport, the defending
champion here. "I'm very happy to be at least in the finals and
have another chance to win the final."
Petrova, who lost to Davenport in the semifinals here last year,
had just 31 points compared to the 60 for her opponent and did
not get one break opportunity.
"She was really solid today. She moved really well, and didn't
make many unforced errors," Petrova said. "I had a good start to
the tournament here, then unfortunately the rain came the next
day, which forced us to play two matches on Friday, and that
took everything out of me."
Davenport has won just once in her four previous finals matches
this year, claiming the title at Dubai last month. On Sunday,
she will face No. 12 Silvia Farina Elia of Italy in search of
her 46th career title.
Farina Elia also cruised to an impressive victory Saturday,
dispatching Virginie Razzano of France, 6-1, 6-3, to advance to
her first final since losing to Kim Clijsters in Belgium last
February. She is in search of her fourth career WTA Tour
singles title.
"This is a really amazing result for me," said Farina Elia, who
reached her second career Tier II final. "I really didn't expect
it with such a strong draw. I feel great, a little bit tired,
but very, very happy."
Davenport has won six of her seven career meetings with Farina
Elia, including a 6-2, 6-0 rout on clay last year.
First prize in the event is $93,000.