Molik to work on nerves
Thursday, 30 May, 2002
PARIS, May 29 AAP - Alicia Molik plans to work on her finishing nerves in the
lead-up to Wimbledon to prevent a repeat of her first round departure from the
French Open today.
The 21-year-old South Australian is good at putting herself in a winning position,
but not so good at winning. With a win in sight the tremors set in and her serve
disappears, her drop shots find the net and her forehand goes long.
Today Molik, described as "talented but inconsistent" by world No.3
Kim Clijsters during April's Fed Cup tie, had fought back from one set down to
level the scores and lead 5-3 in the decider against Frenchwoman Emilie Loit,
ranked 79 to Molik's 52. But Loit held her serve and Molik froze while serving
for the match.
Loit won the match 6-2 3-6 7-5.
"I did get a bit nervy and that's something that I need to address,"
Molik said. "I'm always getting myself in a position to win. Staying mentally
tough and believing in myself at that later part of the match is something I need
to work on. That's something that I'll be making a conscious effort to improve
on."
Molik is playing doubles with Spaniard Magui Serna at Roland Garros and will use
that as match practice for next month's Eastbourne and Wimbledon tournaments.
"Next time I'm in a third set and it does get tight I'll make a conscious
effort, maybe think of a few different things that I can improve on and hit through
my shots a little bit more," she said.