E-Paper
Davenport wins Wimbeldon opener
Lindsay Davenport made the most of her unexpected return to Wimbledon with a 6-0 6-2 first-round drubbing of Russia's Alina Jidkova on Monday.
Lindsay Davenport made the most of her unexpected return to Wimbledon with a 6-0 6-2 first-round drubbing of Russia's Alina Jidkova on Monday.
Twelve months ago, the 1999 champion walked out of the All England Club convinced she had played on the Centre Court for the last time following her semi-final loss to eventual champion Maria Sharapova.
On Monday, the American was back on the biggest stage in grasscourt tennis as the world number one and believed that for the first time in three years she had a serious chance of walking away with her second Wimbledon crown.
She followed Wimbledon last year by winning four titles on the trot in the run-up to the U.S. Open and then reached the final of the Australian Open in January this year.
"At the time I was sitting here a year ago, I just felt like I was losing that little inner fire that you need to always be at the top," said Davenport, the top seed in the women's draw.
"I really take a lot of pride in being successful and doing well. After I left here, it got relit. I seemed to get on a great roll. (I) never would have expected exactly how things turned out. I would never have dreamt that.
"I'm still out here because I'm enjoying it. I feel like I'm playing well enough.
"Obviously the ultimate goal is always to try to win another slam. I've been really close and haven't quite gotten through.
"But I still feel like I'm knocking on the door of having that happen. Hard to walk away when you feel like you could achieve the ultimate goal in tennis."
"While I still feel like I have that ability, I'm going to stick around."
On Monday, Davenport allowed a frustrated Jidkova to pick up a few stray points in the first set which lasted a mere 19 minutes. The Russian earned a brief respite from the Davenport onslaught when she held her serve in the opening game of the second.
But Davenport was in no mood to stay on court longer than necessary in the stifling heat.
Generating immense power from back of the court, the American ran her opponent ragged.
After failing to chase down one Davenport forehand, Jidkova shook her head in disbelief.
The statistics told the story of the brutally one-sided contest with Jidkova managing only six winners to 29 by the American.
Davenport wrapped up victory when Jidkova sailed a return long.
"I love playing here, I always have," said Davenport, who will next face fellow American Jamea Jackson for a place in the third round. "Even to be seeded one and get to play on Centre Court the first day is great.
"It's pretty exciting even after I've played countless matches out there. I've had a wonderful time here the last few days, really a lot of fun. I hope it keeps going."
