Molik Ends Mauresmo No. 1 Bid at Doha

Molik, who lost to Mauresmo last week in the Antwerp semifinals, weathered a five-hour rain delay to roll the weary-looking Frenchwoman in the second set.

"I always expected myself to make it through the weekend here," boasted the confident Aussie, taking a page from the Williams sisters. "I am not surprised to see myself in the final...I was so comfortable that I could have played another two sets out there."

In the final Molik will face No. 2 seed Maria Sharapova, who cruised past unseeded Daniela Hantuchova 6-2, 6-4.

"I am excited to be in the final," the 17-year-old Sharapova 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."

Both players will be shooting for their second title of the year, with the Russian leading their career meetings 2-1.

Molik will also be competing in the doubles final in Doha, pairing with Italian Francesca Schiavone as an unseeded pair against the No. 2-seeded team of Cara Black and Liezel Huber.