But for the spectators who had a little faith in the former world number eight, they were witness to the greatest comeback of this week’s tournament at the Nolan Street courts.

Down and out, Molik managed to defend three match points to send the second set to a tie-breaker, which she won.

She then stormed home to take the third set 6-2 and the match 1-6, 7-6, 6-2.

Her opponent, 17-year-old Queenslander Monika Wejernt was dominant for the best part of two sets and even Molik said that Wejent deserved to win.

“Monika was playing well enough to really win today,’’ Molik said.

“And to be honest, she deserved it.’’

Wejnert got out to a great start early, winning her first game and then immediately breaking Molik’s serve.

Her solid form continued and a string of mistakes from Molik secured Wejnert a 3-0 lead in the first set.

Molik looked to have found some form, winning an easy service game, but despite being 15-40 on Wejnert’s serve, she could not hold off the teenager who was determined to not drop a service game.

With a second break of serve for Wejnert, the first set was secured, with the 17-year-old serving out an easy game to take out the first set 6-1.

Wejnert began the second set in the same form as the first, breaking Molk again in her first service game before Molik broke back in the fourth game to draw level at 2-2.

A string of unforced errors from Molik pushed Wejnert’s lead out to 5-2 before Molik fought her way back into the match to level at 5-5 after two breaks of serve.

Despite having three match points at 6-5, Wejnert could not shake Molik off, who dug deep and forced the game to a tie-breaker.

Molik won the tie break convincingly and then commanded the third set from start to finish, experience proving to be the key to winning the match.

Molik took out the final set 6-2, and showed signs of career-best form.

Molik said she took her chances and made the decision that she just wanted to win.

“I just decided I’d fight it out and luckily I got there in the end,’’ she said.

“I knew if I got there in the second I’d have the edge in the third.

“It’s amazing what a situation like that does.’’

Molik now plays rising Dutch star Richel Hogenkamp.

The day after eliminating top seed Olivia Rogowska, Hogenkamp advanced to the semi-finals with an impressive 6-4 6-3 win over American Jennifer Elie.