Peer shocks Wozniacki in Dubai

 

Originally published on: 26/02/10 13:06

The Israeli was at the centre of a diplomatic row last year when she was refused a visa to compete at the tournament because of her nationality.

The organisers were given a hefty fine by the WTA and told to ensure there would be no repeat, and Peer has taken full advantage of her chance this year.

Her match against the Danish world number three was not staged on the main show court because of security fears but Peer – who had never previously taken a set off Wozniacki, including at the Australian Open last month – did not let her focus waver as she wrapped up a 6-2 7-5 victory.

In the quarter-finals, Peer will face Chinese eighth seed Li Na, who came back from a set down to beat former Wimbledon finalist Marion Bartoli 3-6 7-5 6-0.

Second seed Svetlana Kuznetsova was also a surprise casualty today, defeated by her fellow Russian Regina Kulikova.

Kuznetsova took the first set but qualifier Kulikova hit back to triumph 5-7 7-6 (7/2) 6-4 in a match lasting more than three hours.

Venus Williams looked like she could be going the same way when she trailed Olga Govortsova 4-1 but the third seed staged an impressive recovery to win 7-5 6-0.

Fourth seed Victoria Azarenka dropped a set against qualifier Anna-Lena Groenefeld but came through 6-1 4-6 6-3 in the end while Agnieszka Radwanska, seeded seventh, saw off Flavia Pennetta 6-3 6-0.

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