Injured Davenport hopes to be fit for U.S. Open

NEW YORK, Aug 26 (Reuters) Lindsay Davenport hopes to be fit for next week's U.S. Open after retiring from the final of the New Haven event against Justine Henin-Hardenne today with a shoulder injury.

French Open champion Henin-Hardenne was leading 6-0 1-0 when Davenport decided the injury was too bad to continue.

The American, playing just her second event back after five months out with a back problem, was in tears as she sat on court afterwards.

''I just hope that it is going to be better next week,'' she said.

''If I can get through the first round then maybe it will be better because I will have a day off between each round.

''Here I played five matches and didn't have a day off. It is always hard when you come back, you want to play your best, but maybe it was just too much too soon.'' Davenport, who was defending her title, said she knew her shoulder was not 100 percent before the match began.

''I kind of knew in the warm-up, but I hoped that it was going to get better,'' she said.

''At the end of my match yesterday I felt it a bit and then today it sort of moved down the arm even into the wrist.'' The first set lasted just 22 minutes as Henin-Hardenne dominated in all areas. Davenport left the court for treatment at the end of the set, she played just one more game and then said she could not go on.

Davenport hinted she may ask U.S. Open organisers for a late start.

''Hopefully they will have some understanding but I know there are also a lot of other factors that go into that decision,'' she said.

''If I have to play on Monday then I will do everything I can to make sure I make the court.

''I will probably just rest a lot and won't hit the ball again until the warm-up before my match.'' REUTERS PDM PC2233