Peer, Stosur Win, Kirilenko Injured Monday at LinzPosted on October 24, 2006 LINZ, Austria -- Shahar Peer faced a familiar foe Monday, as first round action kicked off at the Generali Ladies Linz presented by Raiffeisenlandesbank Oberosterreich. The Israeli teen took on doubles partner, Marion Bartoli, whom she defeated four times over the last two years. Peer also prevailed this time, 63 76(4), to set up a second round meeting with defending champion Nadia Petrova.
"It was a good match, but also tough because she's my doubles partner," Peer said. "But I played well, especially in the first set, and I'm happy I was able to win this one." Bartoli had huge opportunities in the second set but didn't take advantage. The Frenchwoman gave away a 3-0 lead and allowed Peer to even the set at 3. Both players held serve the next three games to force a tie-break. It seemed as if Bartoli was going to push the match into a third set, as she jumped to a quick 3-0 lead. But the 22-year-old lost focus and six consecutive points. Peer will face Petrova for the second time in her career. The Russian, who beat Peer in straight sets last year at Roland Garros, just returned to top form this month, winning Stuttgart and making the Moscow final. "I am looking forward to playing her," Peer said. "She's been playing great and is having a great season. I'm excited about the match." The other main draw winner was Samantha Stosur, who advanced when Maria Kirilenko retired due to a right hip strain. Stosur next faces either No.7 seed Anna Chakvetadze or Katarina Srebotnik. Other Monday winners were Alona Bondarenko, Agnieszka Radwanska, Elena Vesnina and Eleni Daniilidou, who qualified for the main draw. On Tuesday, 1999 champion Mary Pierce takes on 2003 winner Ai Sugiyama before Vera Zvonareva plays No.8 seed Francesca Schiavone. -- WTA |
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