Molik defeats Ferguson to claim French Wildcard

Alicia Molik secured her comeback to Grand Slam tennis overnight, winning the women's final of Tennis Australia's French Open wildcard play-off.

Molik defeated 20-year-old Sophie Ferguson of New South Wales 6-7 7-6 6-2 in the final, which was held at Roland Garros.

The South Australian recently made a comeback to tennis after recovering from vestibular neuronitis. She defeated Casey Dellacqua 6-4 3-6 6-3 in the first round of the play-off.

Molik joins Nathan Healey as the other French Open wildcard play-off winner. Healey defeated Wayne Arthurs 6-4 6-4 6-4 in the men's final on Saturday.

Healey, who earlier defeated Peter Luczak 6-2 6-3 in the first round of the play-off, demonstrated his growing potential as a singles player - after several years specialising in doubles - when he reached the third round of the Australian Open in January as a wildcard entrant.

One men’s and one women’s singles main draw wildcard is made available to Australia players through a reciprocal Grand Slam exchange between the French Tennis Federation and Tennis Australia.

The play-off reflects the new philosophy in player development at Tennis Australia. Players now have to compete to earn discretionary wildcards for events, including the lead-in tournaments on the Road to the Australian Open in January.