It is the first time that the fourth seeded Russian has lost a final in seven appearances.

Molik became the first Australian-born woman to win a WTA tier one event, although Jelena Dokic won the Italian Open and the Kremlin Cup in Moscow in 2001 and Dianne Balestrat was a finalist at the Sydney Indoor event in 1985, losing to Pam Shriver.

The outcome was decided by Molik's ability to deny Sharapova some of the pace that she needed by employing her sliced backhand to good effect, and the questionable state of Sharapova's right shoulder.

It was Sharapova who made the better start, dropping just one point in her first three service games and breaking to lead 2-1 when Molik netted a weak backhand.

Molik was dealing well with her opponent's intimidating forehand, but she was always slightly on the defensive in the early stages.

The Australian's persistence earned her a break for 4-4 when a short return forced Sharapova to net a forehand, but Sharapova broke again with a big forehand to lead 5-4.

Sharapova had appeared to have problems with her right shoulder during the semifinals, and she took some pace off her serve in the second set, allowing Molik to hit some winning returns, and Sharapova then double-faulted to give Molik a break for 3-1.

Down 5-2, Sharapova received a warning for coaching, lost the next two points and the set, and then had several minutes of attention on her shoulder from the trainer.

The deciding set remained evenly balanced, with Molik breaking for 2-0 when the umpire over-ruled in her favour after Sharapova thought she had hit a winner down the line.