Knowing your opponent

It is Hingis and Davenport's first meeting at Indian Wells since the first tournament at the Tennis Garden, in 2000. Davenport won in the final 4-6 6-4 6-0.

"I'm very excited," Hingis said. "We've had great battles over the years, and now that I haven't played her since my comeback, it's definitely a great challenge. We always played one of the best matches because we knew every time we played, either we win the tournament or we were close to doing so. So (it) always brought the best tennis out of each other."

Davenport has a 14-10 career advantage over Hingis, and they will meet for the first time since 2001.

"We obviously have a long history and a great history in playing each other," Davenport said. "It will be an exciting match pretty early on in the tournament. So hopefully we can both play at a great level of tennis and give a good performance."

Early in her career, Davenport was down 3-5 against Hingis. Around 1997, the tables turned as Davenport began her ascent toward the top of the game.

"That was kind of a really critical year in my development, so I think I was able to turn a lot of corners in that year and really kind of matured into my own as a player (with) the level of consistency and my level of confidence. Certainly, beating her helped shape that and helped kind of created my future.

"I've always had a tremendous amount of respect for her and been very, very focused every time I played because you realize you can't really give her an inch or two because then you're giving up a lot."

As competitive as their rivalry has been, Davenport and Hingis have a mutual respect for each other and a cordial relationship.

She was great after a match. She had the ability to come up and say, 'You played so well today. How did you do that?' Or, other times, she'd be like, 'Gosh, I really did this well,'" Davenport said. "I've always enjoyed that with Martina ... I always enjoyed talking to her throughout the years."

Although Davenport and Hingis are looking forward to the matchup, they are disappointed it is to come so early in the tournament.

"I don't think anyone wants to lose the third round of the tournament," Hingis said. "That's definitely one of the goals that I try to move up as soon as possible so I don't have to face someone like Lindsay in the (fourth) round. But it's here right now and one of us has to leave the tournament. But you know, I think we both give it the best shots, but that's the game."

Davenport said, "It's a little bit of a shame so early because I think both of us would continue to go on and do well. It's a shame one of us is going to be out in the Round of 16. But at the same token, until she plays more and her ranking gets up, this is the way it's going to be."