"Retired" Davenport returns to singles competition in Bali

The 31-year-old American, who recently announced that she would play doubles with Lisa Raymond at New Haven in August, has not competed on the WTA Tour since reaching the Beijing quarter-finals in September 2006, when she lost to Amelie Mauresmo.  

   The previous week, as defending champion in Bali, she reached the semi-finals, falling to eventual title-winner Svetlana Kuznetsova, and partnered with Corina Morariu to claim the 36th doubles title of her career.

 Davenport also won 51 singles titles including three Grand Slams and a gold medal at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics. She reached number one in both singles and doubles.

 She married investment banker and former California player Jon Leach in 2003 and gave birth to son Jagger Jonathan Leach on June 10.       "I'm excited to be playing Bali once again," said Davenport. "It's such a beautiful environment and everyone is so friendly and supportive of all the players.

 "It's always a great week and a lot of fun. I've really enjoyed playing the tournament in the past and feel it's the perfect place for me to begin playing singles again."

   Opponents at the biggest women's tennis event in South-East Asia, which begins on September 10th, will include world number three Jelena Jankovic of Serbia, Slovakia's Daniela Hantuchova and Swiss left-hander Patty Schnyder.

 Davenport, who still holds a 68th ranking, decided upon a return to the game just a few months after giving birth.

 She will dip her toes back into tennis just nine months after retirement by playing doubles next month in New Haven the week before the US Open.//dpa