Rout Comes in Real Time

One thing is clear: The WTA computer has some catching up to do.

Lindsay Davenport has lost once in 19 matches--to Amelie Mauresmo in the final at Sydney in January--and has dropped only four sets in 2000.

Lately, it’s actually turning into a big deal if she drops serve or plays more than an hour.

This is not quite Martina Navratilova or Steffi Graf domination. But she’s headed in that direction, turning the first women’s semifinal at the Indian Wells Tennis Masters Series into a non-event, defeating 18-year-old Elena Dementieva of Russia, 6-2, 6-1, in 47 minutes Thursday night.

Still, the computer is running behind, failing to completely recognize Davenport’s dominance, her 15-match winning streak. She is ranked No. 2, trailing No. 1 Martina Hingis of Switzerland, even though she has dominated Hingis as well and has won two of the last three Grand Slam events, the Australian Open in January and Wimbledon in July.

“I definitely think I’ve been the No. 1 player since October or November, maybe even the summer,” Davenport said. “Like I said before, it’s 12 months. Last spring, I didn’t perform like the No. 1 player in the world and that’s why I’m not No. 1 right now.

“If I play well the next few months, I think I’ll regain it. . . . I’m not going to worry about that too much now. People can say they think I should be No. 1, but as far as I’m concerned, I’m still No. 2.”

Hingis plays Mary Pierce in the other semifinal today, and Davenport missed out on facing Hingis at the previous event in Scottsdale, Ariz., when the final was canceled because of bad weather.

“It’s always exciting to play Martina,” said Davenport, who has won their last four matches. “We’ve played a lot in the last few years. No. 1, No. 2, that always seems to get a big buzz around in terms of fans and media. So that’s always fun. I’ve always actually kind of cheered for her to get to the finals.”

There was little suspense about Davenport’s arrival in the final. She lost her serve in the fourth game of the first set, and then won 10 of the final 11 games.

“I was nervous just a little bit,” Dementieva said. “But I think I was tired because I have to play five difficult matches. It was tough for me, a very long week. I was very tired today. In my body and in my mind.

“I didn’t find my game. I missed my serve, my good serve. It’s very difficult to play against such a great player when you can’t do something.”

The quick women’s semifinal was a contrast to the men’s matches on the Stadium Court.

Second-seeded Pete Sampras had his second three-setter but survived against qualifier Byron Black of Zimbabwe, 4-6, 6-3, 6-2, to reach the quarterfinals. Sampras, a winner of the Indian Wells event in 1994 and 1995, is attempting to rid himself of some extra recent baggage here.

“Exorcise the desert demons, that’s my goal,” said Sampras, who will play No. 10 Thomas Enqvist of Sweden tonight. “I’ve struggled here.”

Maybe the solution is the new site, the Indian Wells Tennis Garden.

“The demons are at the other stadium,” he said, smiling.

Others advancing Thursday were eighth-seeded Nicolas Lapentti of Ecuador, Sjeng Schalken of the Netherlands, Hicham Arazi of Morocco, Alex Corretja of Spain and defending champion Mark Philippoussis of Australia.

Corretja’s quarterfinal opponent, sixth-seeded Magnus Norman of Sweden, is proceeding through the upper part of the draw in his usual unobtrusive fashion. Norman fought through a tough battle against Sebastien Grosjean of France, winning, 6-3, 6-7 (2), 6-4.

“No one knows who I am,” said Norman, who won five tournaments last year. “If you want it to be that way, it can be that way. I’m not trying to make publicity. . . . I like it more like it is for the moment.”

It was suggested that more attention may mean greater wealth, bigger bags of money.

“Maybe you’re right,” he said. “I’m not going to act a different way because I want to make more money. I just want to stay like Magnus Norman, not try to pretend to be anyone else.”

Tennis Notes

Officials announced that Newsweek, the presenting sponsor here, will become a series-wide partner for the ATP’s Tennis Masters Series. The worldwide series consists of 10 tournaments, including the season-ending Tennis Masters Cup at Lisbon, Portugal.

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Today’s Featured Matches

STADIUM COURT, STARTING 10 A.M.

* Hicham Arazi, Morocco vs. Nicolas Lapentti,

Ecuador

* Martina Hingis, Switzerland vs. Mary Pierce, France

* Mark Philippoussis, Australia vs. Sjeng Schalken, Netherlands

* Alex Corretja, Spain vs. Magnus Norman, Sweden

NIGHT SESSION, STARTING 6:30 P.M.

* Thomas Enqvist, Sweden vs. Pete Sampras