Israeli trio knocked out of Australian Open

Israeli interest in this year’s Australian Open is all but over after their three players crashed out of the singles tournament on Monday.

First up on Court 7 was Dudi Sela, and while he got off to a great start, winning the first et 6-3, his Finnish opponent, Jarko Nieminen won the next two on tie-breaks. Although Sela then tied the match at 2-2, winning the fourth set 6-3, Nieminen sealed the match winning the deciding set 6-3.

Following him on the same court was Shahar Peer, though her disappointing form from 2013 well has well and truly carried on into 2014 as she was comprehensively beaten by her former doubles partner, Romanian Monica Niculescu, 6-4, 6-1.

Israel’s misery was complete later on when Julia Glushko was defeated by the world number 26, Lucie Safarova, 5-7, 6-3, 6-1.

Israel’s only interest lies now lies in the doubles competition where Andy Ram and Jonathan Erlich take on Italian Daniele Bracciali and Ukrainian Alexandr Dolgopolov.

Peer is also involved in the women’s doubles, where partnering Spain’s Silvia Soler-Espinosa, they take on Yung-Jan Chan and Janette Husarova in their first round clash.