Lindsay Davenport’s backhand service return plopped into the top of the net on triple-match point, and perhaps that will mark the final stroke of the Southern Californian’s U.S. Open career.

Davenport came to the net and kissed the Belgian on each cheek, classy to the end. There will be no storybook finish for her here, as she succumbed in the quarterfinals yesterday to raging-hot No. 2 seed Justine Henin-Hardenne, 6-4, 6-4 at Ashe Stadium.

The rugged Belgian baseliner will face unheralded 19th-seeded Serbian Jelena Jankovic in tomorrow’s semifinals.

Thirty years old, married to an investment banker and dealing with assorted aches and pains, Davenport has made strong hints this is it. The 1998 Open champion said she’ll make her decision in November whether she will continue her career next year.

“At his point, I have no idea,” said Davenport, who revealed the physical and mental strains are reaching the limit. “I was really lucky we didn’t play [Tuesday],” Davenport said. “I was definitely more banged up. There’s no question your body does not recover as well as you get older. I used to laugh at people when I’d hear that when I was young and playing. It’s definitely true.

“Mentally, I think it’s just the everyday commitment that has to be going into playing and being good in this sport. Most days I still feel like OK. I want to commit my day to being that good tennis player. Other days it feels like a drag. When I still have more good days than bad days, I’m gonna keep playing.”

The No. 2 seed Henin-Hardenne, meanwhile, came out of the match in more pain than Davenport. The 2003 Open champion needed a trainer after the first set to check on her rib muscle. But though she fell behind a service break early in the second set, Henin-Hardenne, owner of the most lethal forehand service return in the women’s game, stormed back, breaking Davenport twice.

Henin-Hardenne has now beaten Davenport seven straight times. “In my mind, she’s probably the best player in the world,” Davenport said.