HOBART, Australia (AP)—Second-seeded Shahar Peer of Israel beat Australian Jelena Dokic 6-2, 6-2 in a second-round match at the Hobart International Wednesday.
Spain's Carla Suarez Navarro defeated local hope Alicia Molik 7-6 (3), 3-6, 6-3, advancing to the quarterfinals. Suarez Navarro will play Peer next.
Suarez Navarro, who beat Venus Williams in the second round at last year's Australian Open on her way to the quarterfinals, had difficulty with Molik, who is making a comeback to the main tour this season after retiring in 2007.
I ran around too much today, she has a very good serve,'' Suarez Navarro said.She is strong and very tall and for me that's difficult.''
Molik, who received an Australian Open wild card, heads to Melbourne in a positive frame of mind.
It's been the best preparation I could ask for,'' Molik said.Carla is ranked about the top 30 in world and to not just push her to a third set but be in a commanding, winning position as well 2-1 up and I had a point for 3-1 - so it could have been very different.''
Molik reached No. 8 in 2005.
I felt like I should have won today,'' Molik added.I have certainly been playing well enough to win a match like that but it's just the way it goes.''
Earlier Wednesday, Belgian qualifier Kirsten Flipkens beat sixth-seeded Aleksandra Wozniak of Canada 7-5, 6-2 for a place in the quarterfinals.
Flipkens will play Italy's Sara Errani, who beat third-seeded Kateryna Bondarenko of the Ukraine 7-6 (8), 6-4 Wednesday.