Tennis-Molik and Smeets earn Australian Open wildcards

SYDNEY, Dec 19 (Reuters) Alicia Molik and Robert Smeets won their finals at the Australian Open wildcard playoffs today to book their places in the first grand slam of 2007.

Molik beat Jessica Moore 6-4 6-4 in the women's final and 21-year-old Smeets defeated Joe Sirianni 6-1 7-5 3-6 6-3 in the men's decider to secure a place in the main draw.

The Australian Open offers wildcard spots for eight men and eight women for the January. 15-28 tournament at Melbourne Park.

Just six of the total of 16 wildcards are available after Casey Dellacqua and Alun Jones were also given places as the best performed Australian players on the local circuit and six cards were handed over in a reciprocal exchanges with the French Open, US Open and winners of the Asian tennis championships.

REUTERS DH DS1252