TENNIS: Russia's Maria Sharapova may be the top seed, despite losing the world number one ranking to Lindsay Davenport - the number two seed - but it is the American who has the momentum behind her having won the Pilot Pen tournament at New Haven yesterday.

Davenport beat France's Amelie Mauresmo 6-4 6-4 in the final to confirm her return from two months out with a back injury. She did not lose a single set during the tournament.

"I'm happy and amazed that I'm sitting here winning," Davenport said after the final.

"You never know what to expect when you come back. I'm really happy I got the matches in, (but) I still think there's a lot of things I would like to improve on before the US Open, but to sit here with a title is pretty rewarding."

Mauresmo, seeded third, is hoping for a change of fortunes in New York.

"Every week you have new challenges to face," she said.

"I am now focusing on the US Open and things are going be different there. That's the way it is."

Sharapova opens against Eleni Daniilidou of Greece, but has another form player Kim Clijsters, and both Serena and Venus Williams blocking her path to the later stages.

The Williams' sisters, both former winners of this tournament, are among the top 10 seeds, with Serena eighth and Venus, the Wimbledon champion, 10th.

Davenport opens against China's Na Li while Mauresmo faces Roberta Vinci of Italy, and the pair could potentially meet in the semi-finals.

On offer at Flushing Meadows this week is the highest annual purse in sport, totalling more than $20.6million.

Both the men's and the women's singles champions will collect $1.1million, with the potential to take home up to $2.2million.