LINZ, Austria, Oct. 22 (UPI) -- Lindsay Davenport seeks her third consecutive tournament win and tries to defend her title at the Generali Ladies Open crown this week.
Davenport, the top seed at this $565,000 indoor event, defeated Jelena Dokic of Yugoslavia in Sunday's final of the Swisscom Challenge in Zurich. Sunday's triumph was the sixth tournament win of the season and 36th in the career of Davenport, who claimed the Porsche Grand Prix two weeks ago.
"It's been a perfect two weeks," she said. "It is my second Tier I (tournament win) and that is the best that I can do without winning a Grand Slam. I didn't think when I came over to Europe that I would do this well."
The 25-year-old American has not lost before the quarterfinals of any of the 15 tournaments she has played, despite missing three months in the middle of the season with a right knee bone bruise.
Davenport defeated Venus Williams in three sets to claim last year's event. Williams was to have been the second seed this week but withdrew with an irritated left wrist. She has not played since winning the U.S. Open due to concerns following the September 11 terrorist attacks on the United States.
"I was getting ready for the tournament and hurt my wrist during practice (Saturday)," Williams said. "I'm very disappointed and frustrated to be missing Linz. However, I need to give my wrist a chance to heal so that I'll be healthy to play in Munich (for the season-ending WTA Championships next week)."
Moving into the second spot in the draw is Wimbledon runner-up Justine Henin of Belgium, who has reached the final in two of her last three tournaments. She has won three titles this year.
Seeded third, Dokic also owns three tournament victories this season. She has advanced to the final at four of her last five events, winning the Kremlin Cup three weeks ago.
Nathalie Tauziat, the fourth seed from France, will play her last regular tour singles tournament this week. Tauziat, who will play a limited doubles schedule in 2002, qualified for the WTA Tour Championships next week.
The top four seeds earned first-round byes.
