Davenport Hires a New Coach: Leach

Lindsay Davenport and her longtime coach Robert Van’t Hof, who guided her to three Grand Slam singles titles and the No. 1 ranking, have parted ways. The move was amicable.

Davenport’s new coach is doubles specialist Rick Leach, who also happens to be her future brother-in-law. Leach has been training with Davenport and accompanied her to Australia last week.

“It was a combination of things,” Van’t Hof said. “She was working with Rick, and I wanted to stay home more.”

Davenport is engaged to Jon Leach, Rick’s brother.

-- Lisa Dillman

*

Defending Australian Open champion Thomas Johansson has withdrawn from the tournament because of a knee injury.

*

Martina Navratilova won her 167th doubles title, teaming with 17-year-old Russian Svetlana Kuznetsova to win the Australian women’s hard-court tournament at Gold Coast. They beat France’s Nathalie Dechy and Emilie Loit, 6-4, 6-4.

*

Karol Kucera of Slovakia defeated Juan Ignacio Chela of Argentina, 6-3, 7-5, to move into the final of the Tata Open at Madras, India. Kucera will play Paradorn Srichaphan of Thailand, who beat Jean-Rene Lisnard of France, 6-2, 6-1.... Stefan Koubek of Austria defeated Jan-Michael Gambill, 6-4, 6-4, to win the $1-million Qatar Open at Doha.

Jurisprudence

Former major league catcher Darren Daulton was arrested in Tampa, Fla., on charges of driving under the influence when he refused a breath alcohol test.

He was released from jail Saturday on $1,000 bail. On Friday, former pitcher Dwight Gooden was arrested in Tampa for driving with a suspended license.

Passings

Larry Paben, the former team dentist for the Lakers and Kings, died Friday at 92. He retired in 1981 after more than 20 years with the Lakers. A memorial service will be held Friday at 11 a.m. at Inglewood Mortuary.