Former world number one Lindsay Davenport set her sights on a strong run at this month's Australian Open after she beat Aravane Rezai of France 6-2, 6-2 to win the Auckland Classic on Saturday.
The American needed just 51 minutes to seal her third title in four tournaments since returning to the tour in September, having had a year off, during which she had her first child.
The victory gave Davenport her 54th title, surpassing compatriot Monica Seles to move to eighth in the list of WTA Tour title winners.
Davenport, who was unseeded in Auckland, will be one of the most dangerous unseeded players at Melbourne Park.
"I haven't really set a performance goal because of the draw, but if I was to say it now I'd be really excited to get to the quarter-finals," Davenport told reporters.
"There's probably about five girls I wouldn't want to get in the first round but other than that I'll go with who I'm drawn against."
Rezai was looking for her first WTA Tour title but was outclassed by Davenport, who took advantage of 24 unforced errors from the Frenchwoman to ease to victory.
Davenport did not face a single break point as she took her tally to 18 wins in 19 matches since her return.
"I came here with the goal to win the tournament and when you're unseeded you never know how the draw turns out, but I was happy with the way I was able to make it through the whole week," the 2000 Australian Open champion said.
"[Now] I've got a week to get used to the conditions in Melbourne and get my body ready."
