Tennis: Molik ends Baltacha run

SCOTLAND'S Elena Baltacha was soundly beaten by Australia's Alicia Molik in the third round of the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells.

Qualifier Baltacha progressed to meet wildcard Molik courtesy of a marathon 7-6, (10/8), 2-6, 7-6 (9/7) win over China's Li Na in almost three hours.

But she was thrashed by Molik, the world No.138 and fifth-ranked Australian, losing 6-0, 6-2.

Baltacha, the world No.65, recorded a first-serve percentage of 33 per cent in the first set as Molik ruthlessly converted all three break points on offer.

Baltacha fell two breaks down early in the second set before eventually holding serve twice, but it was too late as Molik eased to victory in 56 minutes.

Molik will now meet either China's Zheng Jie after she took advantage of an elbow injury to former world No.1 Maria Sharapova to win 6-3, 2-6, 6-3.

The tenth-seeded Russian was leading the final set 3-2 when her right elbow flared up, and she lost the remaining four games to crash out.