Monday, July 22, 2002
Molony-Hussey taking Met title on tour
By Dave Schutte
Enquirer contributor
Kara Molony-Hussey beat Heather Hairston 6-0, 6-2.
(Greg Ruffing photo)
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Winning a third Met tennis title isn't enough for Kara Molony-Hussey. The former Notre Dame Academy and University of Cincinnati star wants to play on the pro tour.
“It's not out of my system,” Molony-Hussey said after defeating Heather Hairston 6-0, 6-2 in the championship match of the Thomas E. Price Metropolitan Tennis Tournament. “I'm going to play until I get sick of losing. I leave for Evansville (Ind.) tomorrow for a $10,000 tournament, and the following week, I'll play in Lexington (Ky.)”
Molony-Hussey, 22, played in the finals for the fifth straight year here. She won titles in 1998 and 1999, and lost in the championship match the last two years. Kathy Graeter holds the record for most women's Met singles titles with seven.
“I would tell Kara to go for it,” said Hairston, 37. “When I was 24 years old, I decided to take two years and play in Australia and Europe. I got a world ranking and it was a wonderful experience.”
Molony-Hussey appeared tournament-tested from the outset. She defeated Sheryl Hicks (6-3, 6-0), Christie Brannon (6-2, 6-4) and Khushchehr Italia (6-0, 6-0) en route to the championship match.
The opposite was true for Hairston, who hadn't played in a tournament since 1998, when she lost to Molony-Hussey 6-1, 6-4 in the Met championship match.
Hairston wasn't truly tested in the Met. She advanced Saturday when her semifinal opponent, Esra Roan, defaulted due to a leg injury. Hairston said the lack of competition proved to be bad.
“I knew Heather was physically fit and would hit a lot of balls,” Molony-Hussey said. “I wanted to be patient, but I knew I had to also beat the heat. That's why I tried to end the points much quicker.”
After losing the first set, Hairston regrouped and got into a rhythm until Molony-Hussey broke at 2-2 to take control.
“Kara has become a much smarter player than the last time I played here four years ago,” Hairston said. “She placed the ball well, kept it deep and hit some great shots down the line.”
Hairston, who made her 11th appearance in the finals, wasn't sure about returning in 2003.
“With Kara playing, I have no chance, unless I catch her on an off-day,” Hairston said. “I was just happy to be back in the finals again, but I'm not sure about next year.”
Molony-Hussey will return to defend her title.
“I feel fresh and I plan to play in tournaments until October,” Molony-Hussey said. “This is a local tournament that I love playing in. I'll be back next year.”
Sunday story: Familiar foes in Met tennis final
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Molony-Hussey taking Met title on tour
