Molik to play Sharapova in Qatar final
(Agencies)
Updated: 2005-02-26 09:31

Alicia Molik beat top-seeded Amelie Mauresmo 7-6 (11), 6-1 Friday, advancing to the Qatar Open final against Wimbledon champion Maria Sharapova.

Sharapova, seeded second, defeated Daniela Hantuchova 6-2, 6-4 in the other semifinal.

Mauresmo's loss prevented her from regaining the No. 1 WTA Tour ranking on Monday from Lindsay Davenport. The setback also ended her bid for consecutive titles after winning in Antwerp last weekend.

Amelie Mauresmo of France plays a backhand to her opponent Alicia Molik of Australia during the semi final match of the Qatar Open at Khalifa tennis complex in Doha Qatar, Friday Feb. 25, 2005. The match suspended due to the rain. [AP]

The fourth-seeded Molik, who lost to Mauresmo in the Antwerp semifinals, reversed the outcome Friday despite a 5-hour rain delay.

"I always expected myself to make it through the weekend here. I am not surprised to see myself in the final," said Molik.

"But I must tell you that I had to fight hard to win this match. I was so comfortable that I could have played another two sets out there."

Australian Alicia Molik hits a forehand to French Amelie Mauresmo during their WTA semi-final tennis match in Doha. She produced an awesome display of power to shock top-seeded Mauresmo and set up a dream title clash with Russian Maria Sharapova at the 600,000-dollar WTA Qatar Open. [AFP]

Molik prevailed in the 24-point, first-set tiebreak when Mauresmo netted two consecutive returns after both fought off five set points.

Molik completed the victory with service breaks in the second and sixth games of the second set as a tiring Mauresmo committed a series of mistakes with long returns and poor volleys.

Sharapova broke Hantuchova three times, and has yet to drop a set.

She won her eighth career title at the Tokyo Open this month, then took two weeks off to recover from the flu.

"I am excited to be in the final," the 17-year-old Russian said. "I am happy with my game and form and I am looking forward to playing Alicia in the final. I am confident that I will play well."

Molik will also be playing for her second title of 2005 after winning in Sydney in January. She has won three of her five career championships in the last four months, including a three-set win over Sharapova in the Zurich final in October.

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