Shahar/Yoni ousted in quarterfinals

The Israeli duo could not cope with the serving of the Indian/Russian team, winning just six of 40 return points.

By ALLON SINAI
Peer 311 (photo credit: REUTERS)
Peer 311
(photo credit: REUTERS)
Shahar Pe’er and Yoni Erlich were sent packing from the mixed doubles tournament at Wimbledon on Friday, losing 6-4, 6-1 in the quarterfinals to No. 4 seeds Mahesh Bhupathi and Elena Vesnina in exactly one hour.
The Israeli duo could not cope with the serving of the Indian/Russian team, winning just six of 40 return points, reaching just a single break opportunity.
While their success at the All England Club may be a promising sign ahead of next year’s London Olympics where they could team up in the mixed doubles tournament, Pe’er and Erlich have got far more urgent concerns at the moment.
After four straight first-round exits, including at Roland Garros and Wimbledon, Pe’er is desperate to get her year back on track.
She will spend the next few weeks training before returning to the WTA Tour at the small $220,000 tournament at Washington in three weeks time.
Erlich and partner Andy Ram were also knocked out in the first round of both the French Open and Wimbledon, but will be looking to build on their recent triumph at Eastbourne when they begin the North American hardcourt season in three weeks.