NEW HAVEN, Conn. (AP) – Jennifer Capriati’s first singles title in 18 months came at just the right time and a little easier than expected.

Capriati captured the Pilot Pen title on Saturday when Lindsay Davenport was forced to quit midway through the championship match because of a foot injury.

A night earlier, the third-seeded Capriati, advanced to the final when Amelie Mauresmo walked off in the second set because of an upset stomach.

“People are going to think I put something in the water,” Capriati said.

Now she enters the U.S. Open, which begins Monday, on a high note.

“I feel like I’m playing a little bit like my old self,” said the three-time Grand Slam champ. “My desire again has been really fired up. I’m just really happy that I was able to come and play injury-free, but also to play well and win.”

The top-seeded Davenport wasn’t able to do any of that.

She has been struggling with a painful nerve disorder in her left foot and was noticeably limping as the match wore on. Capriati was leading 6-2, 4-0 when Davenport walked to the net and ended the match. The players hugged before walking off.

Capriati played solidly all week, beating Elena Bovina and Anna Pistolesi in tightly contested, three-set matches to reach the semifinals. Her power game sharp and relentless, Capriati said the week was one of her best all year.

Davenport hopes to be ready for the U.S. Open, which she won in 1998.

for her first Grand Slam title.

“You want to play the Slams no matter what,” Davenport said. “The U.S. Open means the most to me of all of them.”

She said she planned to see a doctor Saturday night in New York.

“There’s not much you can do for it, maybe get an injection before the Open starts,” said Davenport, seeded third at Flushing Meadow. “Hopefully he can do something to at least get me through the next two weeks.”

She’s been able to control the pain somewhat with cortisone injections but said it had been about five weeks since her last shot.

“It’s been bothering me all week,” she said. “Today was the worst. I think that’s just the accumulation now of playing all these matches in a row for a few days.”

Capriati turned an ankle in the first set Saturday, but shook it off and pounded away with a gritty ground game. Her powerful forehand was just too much for the hobbled Davenport.

“It’s one of my weapons,” Capriati said. “When that’s on, it kind of makes my whole game go.”

Diagnosed with the inflamed nerve in May, Davenport said she’ll likely have season-ending surgery after the U.S. Open and will be sidelined eight to 12 weeks.

She apologized to the 7,200 fans, who responded with a lengthy standing ovation.

“I was crying. I feel very bad for the fans,” she said. “It was very sweet of them to respond that way. (There) are a lot of emotions going through my mind.”

Capriati, seeded sixth at the Open where she’s finished no better than the semifinals, likes her chances since both Williams sisters are out and Davenport’s questionable status.

“It makes it a little more open for sure,” Capriati said. “But I still think it’s one of the most difficult tournaments to win.”

AP-ES-08-23-03 1555EDT