2011 Hobart International: Sara Errani beats former champion Alicia Molik to enter final 8
The 29-year-old Alicia Molik of Australia bowed out of the 2011 Hobart International on Thursday. Italian Sara Errani knocked out the former world number eight in two sets in their second round encounter. The final match score
was 6-1, 6-0. The battle lasted for a time period of forty eight minutes. Sara won 92% of her opening serve before posting a straight set win.
“Alicia has been playing very good in the last month. Today I played very good match and I was focused. I didn’t practice yesterday so it was strange for me to be playing this well… also they are the first matches of the year so
it’s not easy for anybody,” said the Italian after her victory.
Sara, as a result of this victory, will face either Alberta Brianti or Klara Zakopalova in the quarters.
The Australian’s game was completely dismantled by Sara who dominated the match right from the start and thus sealed an easy win in the end.
Despite losing, Molik is still hopeful for a solid performance in the upcoming Australian Open starting from January 17th in Melbourne.
Sara started off the opening set strongly and within no time wrapped it up at 6-1. The following set further improved her lead as Alicia failed to win even a single game and thus lost the battle, which sadly turned out to be a
single sided affair in the end.
The second round clash between Sara and Alicia is the first completed battle after continuous rain played havoc with the match schedules.
Former winner Alicia while commenting on the rainy conditions said, "We deal with it all the time as professionals, I don't think any player out here has the weather or the delay as an excuse. I have played tennis 20 years, I should
be good enough to come out and put on a slightly better performance than I did today. I have to cop it, I have to accept it. She killed me today, that is sport and that is tennis."
In other clashes on Thursday, Marion Bartoli will take on Elena Vesnina. The sixth seed Jarmila Groth will also take the court later in the day.
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