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Top 2 seeds ousted in Dubai
Source: Agencies |
February 18, 2010, Thursday
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SHAHAR Peer upset top-seeded Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark 6-2, 7-5 to reach the quarterfinals of the Dubai Tennis Championships yesterday, a year after she was refused a visa to play in the tournament by the United Arab Emirates government.
The Israeli had never previously taken a set off Wozniacki, the US Open runner-up, in three previous matches, including at last month's Australian Open.
Also, second-seeded Svetlana Kuznetsova was eliminated when she lost to Russian compatriot and qualifier Regina Kulikova 7-5, 6-7 (2), 4-6 while eighth-seeded Li Na of China overcame Marion Bartoli of France 3-6, 7-5, 6-0.
Peer had at least one break opportunity in each of Wozniacki's 10 service games, and closed it out on her fifth match point. Wozniacki, at a career-high No. 3 ranking, held serve only twice.
"She played really well," Wozniacki said. "She kept changing the rhythm all the time. I had a few unforced errors early in the match and never managed to put her under pressure."
In reaching at least the quarterfinals for the fourth time in five tournaments this year, Peer was rapt.
"I played very, very good, and I'm really happy," Peer said. "I was dominating from the first game until the end.
"When I played her in Australia, I played well in the first set, and I had my chances but I didn't take them. So I knew the next time I have to play her, I really need to take my chances because she never gives up. She's always there. I'm really happy I could manage it."
Last year, the organizers were fined US$300,000 by the WTA for Peer being unable to play in the event after a visa was denied by the UAE government, citing security reasons.
Yesterday's match was moved to Court No. 1 at the Aviation Club as it was the most secure, a decision Wozniacki agreed with even though she said the court speed was different. "If there is a threat to her, there is a threat to me as well," Wozniacki said.
"So I completely agree with the fact that the match was scheduled on Court No. 1. I'd rather be safe than sorry."
Peer broke decisively to lead 4-1 in the first set. In the second, she missed serving for the match at 5-4, and at 6-5 had to save another break point before finishing off the Dane.
The other matches went as seeded: Fourth-seeded Victoria Azarenka beat Anna-Lena Groenefeld of Germany 6-1, 4-6, 6-3 and seventh-seeded Agnieszka Radwanska dispatched Flavia Pennetta of Italy 6-3, 6-0.
The Israeli had never previously taken a set off Wozniacki, the US Open runner-up, in three previous matches, including at last month's Australian Open.
Also, second-seeded Svetlana Kuznetsova was eliminated when she lost to Russian compatriot and qualifier Regina Kulikova 7-5, 6-7 (2), 4-6 while eighth-seeded Li Na of China overcame Marion Bartoli of France 3-6, 7-5, 6-0.
Peer had at least one break opportunity in each of Wozniacki's 10 service games, and closed it out on her fifth match point. Wozniacki, at a career-high No. 3 ranking, held serve only twice.
"She played really well," Wozniacki said. "She kept changing the rhythm all the time. I had a few unforced errors early in the match and never managed to put her under pressure."
In reaching at least the quarterfinals for the fourth time in five tournaments this year, Peer was rapt.
"I played very, very good, and I'm really happy," Peer said. "I was dominating from the first game until the end.
"When I played her in Australia, I played well in the first set, and I had my chances but I didn't take them. So I knew the next time I have to play her, I really need to take my chances because she never gives up. She's always there. I'm really happy I could manage it."
Last year, the organizers were fined US$300,000 by the WTA for Peer being unable to play in the event after a visa was denied by the UAE government, citing security reasons.
Yesterday's match was moved to Court No. 1 at the Aviation Club as it was the most secure, a decision Wozniacki agreed with even though she said the court speed was different. "If there is a threat to her, there is a threat to me as well," Wozniacki said.
"So I completely agree with the fact that the match was scheduled on Court No. 1. I'd rather be safe than sorry."
Peer broke decisively to lead 4-1 in the first set. In the second, she missed serving for the match at 5-4, and at 6-5 had to save another break point before finishing off the Dane.
The other matches went as seeded: Fourth-seeded Victoria Azarenka beat Anna-Lena Groenefeld of Germany 6-1, 4-6, 6-3 and seventh-seeded Agnieszka Radwanska dispatched Flavia Pennetta of Italy 6-3, 6-0.
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