Iranian-born Rezai Lose in ASB final

Lindsay Davenport, the eight-time world number one, claimed the title at the $145,000 ASB Classic, women's international tennis tournament in New Zealand, with a dominating 6-2 and 6-2 victory over Iranian born Aravane Rezai of France.

Rezai made only 41% of her first serves, admitting afterwards she was very aware of the threat posed by the powerful returns of her American rival. Davenport sent down four aces in an impressive serving display in the windy conditions.

The 20-year-old Iranian-French Rezai, who beat fourth seed Venus Williams in the second round, suffered a slight leg injury, but still easily beat world number two Maria Sharapova (6-2 6-4) on Friday.

Davenport described her display in the ASB Classic as "pretty solid" and in truth she was seldom pushed to be any better than that in her five matches in Auckland.

Davenport sailed through the tournament, dropping just the one set all week, against fifth seed Anabel Medina Garrigues, in what was a momentary lapse in concentration. Having recovered to crush Garrigues 6-0 in the deciding set of their second round tie, she was never again troubled.

"It has astonished me," Davenport said of a post-child-birth comeback that has now netted three titles in four tournaments.

"I didn't think that my body would bounce back as fast as it did after giving birth. So I am excited now about the Australian Open and seeing what can happen."