Molik defeated Frenchwoman Irena Pavlovic in straight sets, 6-3 6-4, and is on target to earn herself a wildcard into the 2010 Australian Open.

Molik came into the Bendigo tournament with good form behind her, making six out of seven Pro Tour finals this year, and winning three of those events.

She will now face her final hurdle to gain entry into the Open - winning the Australian Open wildcard tournament in Melbourne in a week’s time.

Molik, who dropped only one set in the tournament, said the Bendigo event had been ideal preparation for her Australian Open goal.

”Winning here is what I came here to do and I’ve just really built it up from last week (after winning in Kalgoorlie),’’ she said.

“I seem to be getting into finals and playing on every Saturday and Sunday (on the Pro Tour).

“I now feel confident that I can put myself in a finals match at the wildcard event.’’

Molik said her game was getting better every week.

“This week in particular, there was one match against Marina (Erakovic) that I thought I played fantastically.’’

“So even just to get one out of five that you feel like you have played incredibly well is fantastic.’’

The match began as a tight contest, with both players winning service games easily.

Molik then stamped her authority on the set, breaking Pavlovic in the fifth game to push the score out to 4-2. A series of powerful shots from the baseline and scrambling from Pavlovic allowed her to hold her next service game, but Molik’s steadiness and strong serve ensured she took out the set 6-3.

Pavlovic managed to break away from Molik in the second set, speeding out to a 3-1 lead early on.

But Molik had all the answers, breaking back twice and hustling for every shot, which stretched her lead to 4-3.

Despite Pavlovic’s efforts, Molik was able to return almost everything she threw at her, chasing the ball all over the court and stretching for each shot.

“Today I did what I needed to do to win,’’ Molik said.

"Irena made it very difficult for me.

“I just threw everything at her, sliced, moved her around and kept her guessing.’’

Molik served out an easy game to take out the match.

Runner-up Pavlovic, who was also one half of the winning women’s doubles team with Russian Arina Rodionova, said after the match that she enjoyed playing in the Bendigo tournament.

“I always play well in Australia and I always enjoy playing here,’’ she said.

“I’m looking forward to coming back next year.’’