Sharapova Wins Doha for Tour-Leading Second 2005 Title

Maria Sharapova became the first player to win two WTA titles in 2005 after coming from a set down to defeat the hard-charging Aussie Alicia Molik 4-6, 6-1, 6-4 Saturday at the Qatar Total Open in Doha.

"Alicia was dictating terms to me in the first set but in my mind I was always positive," said Sharapova, who ran to a 5-0 lead in the second set, and broke in the fifth game of the third. "In the first set I was not playing my own game, but in the second I decided to put some pace on the ball and put pressure on her serve and that worked."

Sharapova will now travel to Los Angeles to visit her mother before returning to the tour.

"I need some rest now and I am eager to see my mum and catch up with friends after all the travelling I've been doing," Sharapova said.

Molik was also seeking her second title of the year after her homecountry win at Sydney.

"I can safely say that the best player in the tournament won the title here," Molik said.

Molik teamed with Francesca Schiavone to win the doubles title, defeating No. 2 seeds Cara Black and Liezel Huber.