Tennis: Davenport out of Australian Open

World number one Lindsay Davenport will miss the Australian Open in Melbourne because of injury.

The American has failed to shake off a knee problem picked up in Munich at the end of last season during a semi-final match with Kim Clijsters at the Sanex Championships.

Davenport had hoped a period of rest would enable her to participate in the first grand slam event of the new season but after not entering this week’s Adidas International event in Sydney, she has confirmed that she will not be taking part in Melbourne.

The injury may require surgery with more tests expected over the next few days.