TNT Sports
The stage was set...
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Published 26/01/2005 at 15:58 GMT
The scene was set for an Alicia Molik victory: playing in front of her friends at her home in Melbourne on Australia Day, one night's sleep away from her 24th birthday. Unfortunately, a certain Lindsay Davenport didn't read the script and shrink amidst re
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The green 'n gold crowd belted out Peter Dodds McCormick's imposing national anthem and 'Waltzing Matilda' at virtually every changeover.
But it was no use, Davenport prevailed 9-7 in the third set.
Afterwards Molik could only rue her missed opportunity to become the first Australian since Wendy Turnball in 1984 to reach the last four.
"I guess I can be comforted by the fact that I feel like I'm going to put myself in more positions like today to beat the top five players in the world," the 23-year-old said.
"Today I see it as the one that got away but [I'll] just keep trying, keep persisting."
Molik will move into the Top 10 when the lists are announced on Monday.
DECHY SLUMS IT IN THIRD CLASS
It was the crowning achievement of Nathalie Dechy's career so far, so why did the Frenchwoman have to play her first major championship quarter-final on Margaret Court Arena?
Not even the second biggest court at Melbourne Park... but the third!
While Davenport and Molik fought out a tense battle in front of thousands on centre court, Rod Laver Arena, Dechy and Patty Schnyder had to settle for steerage class.
"That wasn't scheduled very nicely," Dechy said afterwards.
"You feel really disappointed because you just think that nobody cares too much about this match, and it's still a quarter-final of a grand slam."
Surely, the order of play committee could have started singles matches earlier that 03:00cet?
DAVYDENKO RUNS OUF OF PUFF
Nikolay Davydenko first experienced breathing difficulties at the end of his fourth round victory over Guillermo Canas. On Thursday against Andy Roddick, the Russian used an asthmatic inhaler and wore an ice vest during changeovers as temperatures in Melbourne soared to 36°C.
The 26th seed decided he could not continue in the third set, but couldn't explain afterwards why he had the problems.
"I don't know," the 23-year-old explained.
"I think at about three all in the first set, I felt something. Because we played short points this was ok but then a few points were long and I felt something. I could not breathe.
"The doctor said it was the heat."
"I will now concentrate on my body, how I am feeling, what I do, and what I need to do later."
"I'M TOO OLD FOR THIS MALARKEY"
If you're a fan who believes Dechy doesn't have a chance against top seed Davenport, think again.
The 28-year-old American told reporters, after her three set victory over Molik, "I felt like I was getting too old for it today."
Dechy was confident when quizzed about her chances.
Despite having won just one set in five meetings, the last in Sydney earlier this month, Dechy said she believed she could cause another upset in the semi-finals.
"I think I can [win] because I'm playing much, much better than two weeks ago, and then it was a tough two sets."
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