Tennis: Davenport wins U.S. Open opener

NEW YORK, New York - Lindsay Davenport of Newport Beach took her

first step in defending her U.S. Open championship Tuesday by defeating

fellow American Corina Morariu, 6-0, 6-3, in the first round of the final

major of the season.

Davenport won this event last year, becoming the first American to do

so since Chris Evert won in 1982.

The 23-year-old appeared to be cruising along, winning the first eight

games of the match, until Morariu won three in a row to take a 3-2 lead

in the second set.

Davenport rebounded to win the next four games to close out the match.

Her second-round match is set for Thursday.