Davenport edges closer to Wimbledon

Lindsay Davenport moved a step closer to winning a second Wimbledon title with an easy win over Russia's Svetlana Kuznetsova in the quarter-finals.

Top seed Lindsay Davenport moved a step closer to winning a second Wimbledon title with a 7-6 (7/1), 6-3 win over Russia's Svetlana Kuznetsova in the quarter-finals on Tuesday.

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Davenport, the champion in 1999, now takes on French third seed Amelie Mauresmo for a place in Saturday's final.

The American, buoyed by the knowledge that her performances here will keep her at world number one next week, will be playing in her fifth Wimbledon semi-final.

"I played a good tiebreak, a good second set and served well," said Davenport who had been due to retire at the end of 2004 before rediscovering her liking for the game.

"The third round match against Kim Clijsters had been tough both mentally and physically. But now it's Amelie and I always enjoy playing against her.

"She's a player I admire a lot and I will have to play well against her."

However, history favours the American - she hasn't lost to Mauresmo in over five years.

The 29-year-old Davenport was severely tested by US Open winner Kuznetsova, who turned 20 on Monday, in the opening set.

The Russian recovered from an early break to led 3-2 and stayed in the contest even when she slipped to 6-5 down by breaking the American veteran again to take the opening set into a tiebreak.

But Davenport's deeper range and heavier weight of shot allowed her to cruise through the tiebreak after 44 minutes when her opponent netted a simple forehand.

The momentum was with Davenport from that point onwards.

The world number one broke to go 2-0 and had three break points for a 4-0 lead before the Russian fifth seed stemmed the tide.

Davenport served to lead 5-2 before Kuznetsova saved a match point in the eighth game.

The American wasn't to be denied and served out the match with an her eighth ace of the 75-minute tie.