Davenport shows no mercy as Kostanic suffers whitewash

LINDSAY Davenport coasted through to the third round of the US Open with a 6-0 6-0 rout of Croatian Jelena Kostanic yesterday.

The 10th seed signalled her intentions to make short work of Kostanic by breaking serve in the opening game.

And the match went downhill from there for the Croatian, who lost the first set in just 19 minutes and was back in the locker room soon after.

It is the third time this year Davenport has kept an opponent scoreless.

“I just think the mindset, especially at a grand slam, you just do what you need to do and try to do everything as best you can,” said Davenport, the 1998 champion who has been plagued by injuries this year.

Asked if she was a “mean old lady”, the 30-year-old replied with a smile: “Yeah, I guess.”

Second seed Justine Henin-Hardenne also sailed through to the third round thanks to a 6-1 6-2 triumph over Vania King.

The 2003 champion and reigning French Open title-holder has lost just six games in the competition so far.

Another former US Open winner, Svetlana Kuznetsova, posted a 6-1 6-1 second-round win over American Lauren Albanese, while seventh-seeded Patty Schnyder enjoyed a 6-3 7-5 success against Swede Sofia Arvidsson.

Other seeded winners included Russian Maria Kirilenko, Italy’s Francesca Schiavone and Shahar Peer of Israel. In the men’s event, sixth seed Tommy Robredo battled to the last 32 with a 3-6 6-3 6-4 6-1 victory over Hyung Taik Lee.