Dokic - Davenport 6-4, 4-6, 3-6

Jelena Dokic (left) congratulates Lindsay Davenport

Melbourne, AUSTRALIA (agencies) - Jelena Dokic was beaten, 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, by defending champion Lindsay Davenport in the First Round of the Australian Open. The 17-year-old Dokic, born in Yugoslavia, who has complained about her treatment by media and officials in her adopted home in Australia, cut a lonely figure as she trudged off following her brave effort against the American world number two.

Dokic was given a cool reception when she walked out at the start of the match after announcing at the weekend that she planned to turn her back on Australia to play under the Yugoslav flag.

But she left to a chorus of boos when she stormed off without a parting wave following her 97-minute defeat.

"I expected a lot worse so I didn't let it bother me," Dokic said.

Dokic looked to be on her way to a major upset when she fought back from 3-1 down to take the opening set.

In the second set, Davenport broke in the third game, then put it away with two aces. More heavy serving put her ahead 5-3 in the final set. Dokic badly missed with a drop-shot attempt at deuce in the last game.