Second round sees Jews bow out
JEWISH tennis guns Shahar Peer, Amir Weintraub and Jesse Levine have all been sent packing in their second round matches of the Australian Open.
JEWISH tennis guns Shahar Peer, Amir Weintraub and Jesse Levine have all been sent packing in their second round matches of the Australian Open.
Click here to view photos from Qualifying, Day 1 and Day 2 of the 2013 Australian Open
In other action, Australian wheelchair ace Adam Kellerman has successfully won his way through to the main draw, after defeating fellow Aussie Ben Weekes 6-4, 6-2 in the wildcard playoff.
It looked as though Peer could have gone one step further in 2013, when she faced Japanese veteran Kimiko Date-Krumm, who dispatched 12th seed Nadia Petrova in the first round.
But it wasn’t to be for Israel’s top player, who bowed out in straight sets 6-2, 7-5 and is now focusing her attention to next month’s Federation Cup Europe/Africa Round Robin, which will be hosted in Eilat.
After winning four games in a row to make the second round of the main draw, Weintraub couldn’t continue his dream run, losing to 17th-seeded German Phillip Kohlschreiber 6-2, 7-6, 6-4.
Despite going down in straight sets, the big-serving Israeli pushed the world number 19 and will take confidence from his success in Melbourne into the upcoming Davis Cup World Group tie in France.
Canadian Levine had the tough task of taking on French 14th seed Gilles Simon, but got off to a flyer when he won the first set 6-2.
However, the world number 88 crumbled to the Frenchman, who showed class and poise on his way to taking the next three sets 6-3, 7-6, 6-2.
Meanwhile, Israeli double’s champion Jonathan Erlich, alongside South African partner Kevin Anderson, is set for a third round match against Dutch pair Robin Haase and Igor Sijsling, after beating Aussies Matthew Barton and John Millman 6-1, 6-7, 6-3.
American Scott Lipsky will team up with compatriot Abigail Spears against third seeds Sania Mirza from India and yank Bob Bryan in the mixed doubles competition.
Ashley Shenker at Melbourne Park
Photo: Peter Haskin
Click here to view photos from Qualifying, Day 1 and Day 2 of the 2013 Australian Open
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