Shahar done in Dubai after straight-set loss to Radwanska

Radwanska raced to a 3-0 lead, but Pe’er fought back, only to squander an opportunity to serve out the first set at 5-4.

By ALLON SINAI
Shahar Pe'er 390 (photo credit: REUTERS)
Shahar Pe'er 390
(photo credit: REUTERS)
Shahar Pe’er battled world No. 6 Agnieszka Radwanska for an hour and 50 minutes on Wednesday before falling 7-5, 6-4 in the second round of the Dubai Championships.
The Israeli, ranked No. 40 in the world, was looking to reach the quarterfinals of the prestigious event for a third straight year and she had her chances on Wednesday.
Radwanska raced to a 3-0 lead, but Pe’er fought back, only to squander an opportunity to serve out the first set at 5-4, eventually losing three games on the trot to lose any momentum she had built.
The Pole made it five games in a row on the way to a 2-0 lead in the second set, and despite saving three match points, Pe’er was eventually sent packing after being broken for the sixth time in the match.
Pe’er will remain in Dubai for the time being after reaching to the quarterfinals of the doubles tournament with Spain’s Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez.
The Israeli/Spanish duo will play No. 2 seeds Sania Mirza and Elena Vesnina in the last eight.
Dudi Sela (74) faced Benjamin Becker (284) in the first round of the Regions Morgan Keegan Championships in Memphis late Wednesday night.