Davenport powers into semis

Lindsay Davenport takes care of business

Lindsay Davenport (US) beats Anna Kournikova (Rus) 6-4 6-2

Lindsay Davenport booked her place in the semi-finals of the Australian Open with a commanding performance over eighth seed Anna Kournikova.

The defending champion looked in control from the beginning despite her opponent's tenacity, with plenty left in reserve if needed.

It was a disappointing match for Kournikova whose attempt to reach her first grand slam semi-final since Wimbledon in 1997, when she was just 16 was foiled by the number two seed.

Though Davenport played below her best, her game did pick up enough for an easy victory and her tenth Slam semi-final.

All-American semi

"I'm getting better as the tournament goes on, I've got to try and keep it going now," She said.

Kournikova crashes out of the quarter-finals

Davenport's win sets up a repeat of last year's semi with fellow American Jennifer Capriati.

She said she was looking forward to meeting up with her compatriot, who overcame Monica Seles earlier in the day.

"She played great. We had a tough match here last year in the semi-finals. It was her biggest win for a long time and I'm really happy for her."

Davenport's win sets up a repeat of last year's semi with fellow American Jennifer Capriati.

Too tough

The players seemed closely matched in the opening stages, but Davenport soon got into her stride.

As the nerves started to subside, the American made her move and broke Kournikova's service mid-way through the set.

From then on, the first set was Davenport's for the taking and she soon sealed it 6-4.

But it was never going to be a textbook game between the second and eighth seeds.

Kournikova was determined to keep the pressure up on the defending champion and tried to catch her offguard.

Power and precision

Twice during the second set, the Russian looked as though she might break the American, but let herself down with a series of unforced errors.

Desperation to win caused Kournikova to question the umpire's line calls, but to no avail.

As she tried to match Davenport shot for shot, the American's power and precision started to prove too much.

Again it was mid-way through that the American provided the break and clearly Kournikova could not raise her game when it mattered.

Soon Davenport had won four games in a row and was at match point for her place in the semis.