Punishing schedule took its toll, says Davenport

Davenport played three-setters in the quarter-final and semi-finals last week, and also played in Friday's doubles final.

Weary world number one Lindsay Davenport admitted that her gruelling Australian Open campaign had taken its toll after she ran out of steam against Serena Williams.

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Davenport, who had played 13 singles and doubles matches in 13 days, said fatigue had been a factor in the third set of her 2-6, 6-3, 6-0 defeat to Williams in Saturday's final at the Rod Laver Arena.

The 28-year-old American had been forced through two energy-sapping three-setters on consecutive days in the quarter-final and semi-finals last week, and also played in Friday's doubles final.

Davenport, who had been chasing her fourth grand slam title and first since winning in Melbourne five years ago, said she had been powerless to halt Williams from racing away to victory in the final set.

"At the end I definitely was just overall a little bit fatigued," Davenport said. "But she took advantage when she had the opportunity and kept going.

"I think more than anything, just especially this last week, just a lot of hours on the court, just a lot of close, long matches."

Davenport said the turning point had come in the second set, when she saw her serve broken after leading 40-0 to leave Williams 5-3 up.