Tennis: Davenport must fight to stay at No 1
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.BESIDES THE women's season-ending title and a pot of money, there will be a little extra on the plate at this week's Chase Championships at Madison Square Garden, New York: the No 1 ranking.
The American Lindsay Davenport, the US Open champion who is ranked No 1, is among the top 16 women contesting the finale to a season in which the four Grand Slams have each been won by different players. As will the Swiss Martina Hingis, the Australian Open champion, who lost the top ranking on October 12.
"Getting to No 1 was such a huge step in my career after winning the US Open," Davenport said. "To try and finish the year No 1 would be amazing."
The championships, which began yesterday, conclude on Sunday with a best of five sets final, the only time in the year that the women play more than three sets.
Standing in Davenport's way could be Steffi Graf, who has been unbeatable since undergoing wrist surgery after the US Open. Graf has won her last two tournaments, including Sunday's defeat of Davenport 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 in the Advanta Championships final.
Also in contention for the Chase title are the French Open champion, Arantxa Sanchez-Vicario of Spain, and the runner-up, Monica Seles of the United States; the Wimbledon winner Jana Novotna, of the Czech Republic, and the runner-up, Nathalie Tauziat of France; and the Australian Open runner-up, Conchita Martinez of Spain.
"It's great for women's tennis; it's great for the players," Novotna, the defending champion, said of the strong competition. "There was a period when a player dominated - Steffi, Monica, Martina Navratilova, Chris Evert - when they won everything. Now it's wide open. Anybody can win any tournament. Anyone can win a Grand Slam."
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments