MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) -- It wasn't the title each had most hoped for, but U.S. Open champion Svetlana Kuznetsova and Australia's Alicia Molik won the Australian Open women's doubles championship Friday with a 6-3, 6-4 win over Americans Lindsay Davenport and Corina Morariu.

Kuznetsova, embroiled in a drug controversy during the tournament, was knocked out of the singles draw in the quarterfinals by Russian compatriot Maria Sharapova. Molik, who lost to Davenport in the quarterfinals, was considered a strong hope for a homegrown singles title.

Davenport is playing Serena Williams in Saturday's women's singles final.

Davenport and Morariu lost to Serena Williams and Venus Williams in the 2001 doubles final here. In between, Morariu underwent chemotherapy treatment for leukemia and has had two shoulder operations.

Before the match, Davenport, who is carrying a minor thigh injury ahead of the final, said there was no way she would miss playing with Morariu again.

"Four years ago, I was in the finals here with Corina. Three and a half months later, I got a call from her family saying she was in critical condition in the hospital with leukemia," Davenport said.

"If someone had told me at that time four years later we'd have another opportunity to play in the finals of doubles here, I would be forever grateful."

Davenport repeated the comment at the trophy presentations Friday, when both she and Morariu had tears in their eyes before hugging each other.

"I was going to try to not get emotional, but I guess that's not possible," said Morariu, wiping away tears.

"Three and a half years ago, I wasn't sure I was going to see another day yet alone another Grand Slam final."

Molik also hugged Morariu when Davenport was making her comments.

"It would be good if Kleenex could jump on board -- it's been a bit emotional," said Molik.

Morariu had her service broken twice in the first set and once in the second, including the seventh game that gave Kuznetsova and Molik a 4-3 lead. The winning point came on a backhand intercept volley.

Serving for championship, Molik saved two break points and then, on the second match point, Kuznetsova finished the match on a sharp, backhand volley.

Molik was the first Australian woman to advance to the quarterfinal in singles in her national championship since 1988.

Kuznetsova was identified as the player who tested positive to ephredine at an exhibition tournament in Belgium in December. The matter blew over when it was revealed ephredine isn't completely off limits for tennis players in the offseason.

Copyright 2004 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.