Pe'er wins in doubles

Together with partner Marion Bartoli, beats Jamila Gajdosova of Slovakia and Bryanne Stewart of Australia in straight sets, 6-2, 6-2.

By ALLON SINAI
peer 298.88 (photo credit: AP)
peer 298.88
(photo credit: AP)
A day after facing each other in singles play, Shahar Pe'er and Marion Bartoli combined forces Tuesday afternoon to advance to the quarterfinals of the Generali Linz doubles tournament in Austria. Pe'er and Bartoli had an easy time against qualifiers Jamila Gajdosova of Slovakia and Bryanne Stewart of Australia, winning in straight sets 6-2, 6-2. Pe'er defeated Bartoli 6-3, 7-6(4), in the first round of the singles on Monday. "It was a good match, but also tough because she's my doubles partner," Peer said after defeating her good friend. "But I played well, especially in the first set, and I'm happy I was able to win this one." The Israeli/French duo got the first break of the match in the fourth game of the first set and grabbed a commanding lead. They broke once more in the eighth game to complete a first-set victory. Pe'er and Bartoli won five of the first six games of the second set and closed out the match in the eighth game. Pe'er will play in the second round of the singles tournament on Wednesday against world No. 5 Nadia Petrova. It will be her second meeting with the Russian, who beat Pe'er in straight sets last year at Roland Garros in Paris. Petrova has recently returned to top form, winning in Stuttgart and making the Moscow final this month. "I am looking forward to playing her," Pe'er said. "She's been playing great and is having a great season. I'm excited about the match." On TV: Linz WTA tournament (live at 13:30 p.m. and 17:30 p.m. on Eurosport).