Israeli tennis star advances to second round of Sydney International and reaches new career high in world rankings.
By ALLON SINAI, APPeer 311(photo credit: Associated Press)
Shahar Pe’er climbed to a new career-high ranking of No. 12 in the world on Monday and celebrated the achievement by advancing to the second round of the Sydney International with a 6-3, 5-7, 6-1 victory over Sybille Bammer.In the second round, Pe’er will meet her first top-10 opponent of the year when she faces Belorussian Victoria Azarenka (10), who beat Ekaterina Makarova of Russia 2-6, 6-2, 6-4.Elsewhere in women’s play, French Open champion Francesca Schiavone of Italy lost to Alisa Kleybanova of Russia 6-7 (5), 6-1, 6-2 and sixth-seeded Jelena Jankovic of Serbia was eliminated by Aravane Rezai of France 7-5, 2-6, 6-3.Roland Garros runner-up Sam Stosur of Australia advanced to the second round by beating Yanina Wickmayer of Belgium 7-5, 6-4, while eighth-seeded Li Na of China defeated Anastasia Rodionova of Australia 6-1, 6-2.Dudi Sela, who has lost both of his matches so far in 2011, dropped 20 places to No. 95 in the world on Monday.
