Molik makes her mark
/dnl.eurosport.com/sd/img/placeholder/eurosport_logo_1x1.png){kind=logo}
ByEurosport
Published 24/10/2004 at 13:50 GMT
Looking for a third consecutive WTA title, following victories in Seoul and Tokyo, Maria Sharapova lost her first career final and a 12-match winning streak. The Wimbledon champion appeared hampered by a shoulder injury in a surprise defeat by unseeded Au
Eurosport
Image credit: Eurosport
Sharapova, the world number seven had looked in total control during the early stages of the final, out-powering and out-running Molik with a barrage of fine groundstrokes.
Despite early nerves, Molik played her way back into contention as her Russian opponent hit a string of unforced errors having won a 6-4 first set.
The 23-year-old Australian took full advantage - breaking Sharapova's service twice to take the set 6-2.
After calling for treatment on her right shoulder, Sharapova was much improved in a tight third set.
But Molik, once touted as one of the game's most promising teenagers, maintained her momentum - grabbing a decisive break late on before serving out to love for an impressive 4-6 6-2 6-3 victory.
"Maria played great, but I hung in there because I knew I'd get some opportunities," Molik said after sealing her first Tier I title.
"My preparations weren't ideal, because I picked up an injury in Filderstadt and had to take five days off. At the start of the week I really didn't think I'd be in this position."
Injury may also have played a part in Sharapova's performance as she failed to maintain the form that brought her back-to-back titles earlier this month.
"It was like a pectoral thing that was bothering me a lot in the second and third sets," Sharapova said afterwards.
"It definitely affected the way I played but you just have to live with these things and the credit should go to Alicia for coming back from a set down.
"She just seemed to pick up her level and in the third set her serve was just too good."
Prior to Sunday's defeat, Sharapova had never lost in the final of a WTA event, having won all six of her previous title matches.
Scan me
Related Topics
Share this article
Advertisement
Advertisement