Peer bundled out of Australian Open

ADAM KAMIEN AT MELBOURNE PARK

ISRAELI tennis player Shahar Peer has been bundled out of the Australian Open in the third round, after losing to world number four Caroline Wozniacki in straight sets 6-4, 6-0 on Saturday night (January 23).

Peer took the fight to Wozniacki in an engaging first set on centre court at Rod Laver Arena, taking risks and hitting the lines.

She was returning brilliantly and racking up winners with great angle on her ground strokes.

But with the set on serve at 4-4, Peer gave Wozniacki a break at a crucial point in the match.

Peer made the US Open runner-up work for her next service game, but Wozniacki prevailed to take the first set.

A visibly upset Peer never got going in the second set. Her unforced error count began to climb as Wozniacki found her range, and the Israeli never recovered.

Wozniacki completely outclassed Peer, dominating from the baseline and hitting a higher percentage of first serves in.

Peer had an opportunity to get on the scoreboard in the final game of the match, but failed to capitalise as Wozniacki closed out the set 6-0 in just 33 minutes.

In the post-match media conference, Peer said: “I always try to fight and try to find myself and win the match. I didn’t start well in the second set, and that’s how it goes, like a rollercoaster.

“[When you’re playing high-ranked players] you need to concentrate more on the important points.

“I had a lot of break points and game points that I didn’t win and that’s why I lost the match. That’s the big difference.”

Photo gallery
Shahar Peer’s third round Australian Open match