Davenport plays her part, helps US win Hopman Cup

Lindsay Davenport sent a clear warning to her Australian Open rivals here today when she steered the United States to its second consecutive Hopman Cup mixed teams tennis title with a 2-1 win over the Slovak Republic. Davenport was the only player in the tournament not to lose a set in her singles matches, dispatching Daniela Hantuchova 6-3, 6-1 in the final to set up the victory, making the US the first team to win the title three times.

Karol Kucera then levelled the tie in the men8217;s singles, fending-off an athletic James Blake 4-6, 6-4, 7-6 7/5 in a thrilling encounter before the American pair regrouped to take out the mixed doubles. It was a brave effort from the Slovaks who were only drafted into the final following the forced withdrawal of Belgium and Australia 8212; both of which were ahead of them in their qualifying group.

Hantuchova had not won a set all week and was only awarded the match against Australian Alicia Molik when the latter was forced to withdraw with injury while leading by a set and 3-0. Despite her efforts, Davenport, who is coming back from injury, said she didn8217;t want to read too much into her form leading up to the Australian Open, the season8217;s first Grand Slam event, which starts in Melbourne on January 19.