MUNICH, Germany, Nov. 4 (UPI) -- Lindsay Davenport withdrew from Sunday's final of the $3 million Sanex Championships with a knee injury, thus handing fellow American Serena Williams the title.
Davenport injured her right knee while up 5-2 in the third-set tiebreaker of Saturday's semifinal victory over Kim Clijsters.
"I absolutely can't put any weight on my right knee," said Davenport, who had a 15-match winning streak come to an end. "I really cannot say how terrible I feel."
This is the first time this season a final did not take place due to an injury. The last time a championship match was cancelled was the State Farm Tennis Classic at Scottsdale, Ariz., on March 5, 2000 when the final between Davenport and Martina Hingis was scratched due to persistant rain.
On Saturday, Davenport outlasted Clijsters, 1-6, 6-3, 7-6 (7-3) to overtake Jennifer Capriati for the world No. 1 ranking in women's tennis. She was seeking her fourth straight title.
Williams claimed her third tournament victory of the year and 11th of her career. She earned $750,000.
Seeded third, Williams arrived in Munich having not played since losing the U.S. Open final to her older sister Venus due the events of September 11.
