Davenport targets return to the top

Former world number one Lindsay Davenport believes she still can compete at the highest level, despite juggling her professional career with motherhood.

The 31-year-old American returned to the court last September after an 11-month absence to have a baby and stunned the tennis world by winning four WTA titles in a rousing comeback.

Although none of her triumphs came in top-quality fields, she is confident she can add to her career haul of 55 tournament victories in the elite events.

"I believe when I'm playing well I can still challenge everybody and do well," Davenport told reporters after beating Taiwan's Chan Yung-Jan 6-4 5-7 6-2 in the Pacific Life Open third round on Monday.

"I played some of my best tennis in Memphis a few weeks ago," she added, referring to her most recent WTA success.

"Obviously the conditions here are a lot different. If I can get going and play well and be positive and have some energy, I feel like I'm still quite dangerous."

Davenport, a former Wimbledon, US Open and Australian Open champion, likes her draw at Indian Wells where she next meets sixth-seeded Frenchwoman Marion Bartoli.

"I was really excited to play here," said Davenport, a champion at Indian Wells in 1997.

"It's really my second big tournament besides Melbourne and I felt like I got a more favourable draw here. I wanted to try to take advantage of that as best I can."