AUS Open WC Playoff SF: Molik d. Mirkovic 6-4 6-1

6-4 6-1!

She will play Moore in the final.

The South Australian was below her best and made to work hard by her 16-year-old opponent, but sharpened up late in the match. Molik said she was confident with how her game was progressing.

“I feel like I’m setting myself up to play well, it’s just about physically doing it in that hour and a half, having my head right,” she said. “There’s no point doing all the hard work in the gym if you’re off-song mentally.

“I’ve been working hard on my fitness. I’m working on cutting out the errors and playing as solid as I can and attacking as quick as I can.”

While Molik said she’s ready for the Australian summer, she believes her serve still needs work.

“That’s one thing that let me down today, it definitely wasn’t good enough,” Molik said after recording a first serve percentage of 48. “I was definitely not content just with the win.”

The 25-year-old is on the comeback trail after a debilitating ear infection put her out of the game for much of last year and early this year. At the 2005 Australian Open Molik had a career-best Grand Slam showing when she reached the quarterfinals.

Now as the 2006 Open approaches Molik said she is ready to step up again.

“I’m as ready as I’ll ever be. I’m 110 per cent ready to go.”

In today’s other semifinal West Australian teenager Jessica Moore continued her brilliant run with a straight sets win over Hewson.

The 16-year-old, who won the recent Optus 18s National Championships, required just over two hours to complete the 6-4 6-3 win over her higher ranked opponent.

While Hewson served better, it was the 31-13 winners count in favour of Moore that made the difference.

great job Molik im really happy for you

also playing Moore it was the final i wanted so keep it going leesha

Alicia :yeah:

i hope Jessica Moore beats her like hell! She's my second favourite aussie! :D

Well done Alicia! Good luck to both in final ;) May the best girl win.

this is great news to hear :D well done alicia :yeah: now win the wildcard! :banana:

Great stuff by Alicia, it would be good to see her win the final.

Well done Alicia. However I want Jessica to win the final for two reasons. First of all, Jess is a West Australian as I am and also Alicia will get a Wildcard anyway. Jess might but she also might not.

I wouldn't mind seeing Alicia win though.

But go Jess Moore!!

Alicia :D

One more baby :banana:

Alicia :)
I believe you can get the WC.

Nice going ALICIA!!:yeah: She has gottin in some solid match practice over the past few days :bounce:

Just one more win Alicia! :)

Alicia. :)

Congrats Alicia, and good luck in the final :D :bounce:

WC should be in the bag. Congrats Alicia.

Well done Alicia :banana:
Good luck in the final :kiss:

Woohoo, go Alicia :bounce:

Alicia :woohoo: Good luck in the final ! :yeah:

Alicia :bounce:

Alicia :)

Well done Alicia, good luck in the final :)

well done!!

One more match Ala :kiss:

Alicia :clap2:

Mirković :sad: :sad:
She is such a nice girl. It's not possible to be any nicer...
This is the reason that I'm not approving Alicia playing WC play-off!
Young girls like Marija are bound to be defeated, and finish this one empty handed.

Still great fight Mirković :hug: ;)

:bigclap: Well done Alicia :D

Alicia :woohoo: ;) but Marija :hug: :awww:
Good luck in the final Alicia. :)

Well done Alicia....

Good luck in the final Alicia

Alicia :banana:

:yeah:

One more victory Alicia!
good luck!

Alicia :D :hearts:

one more and the wild card is urs :hearts: :bounce:

Keep it up Alicia!

when does it start?