Shahar Peer criticised the umpire after her fourth round womens’ doubles defeat, claiming an incorrect decision in the second set proved costly for her and partner Victoria Azarenka of Belarus.
Peer and Azarenka were playing against world number ones Cara Black and Liezel Huber in the quarter-final.
After losing the first set 7-5, they fought back strongly and were given a glimmer of hope after forcing a
tie-break in the second set.
With the tie break poised at 3-3, a superb forehand from Peer was declared out by umpire Kerrilyn Cramer. Black and Huber went on to win the tie break and the match.
“The umpire took away our chances of winning,” an enraged Peer said.
“In the tie-break, I had a shot called wide and the game totally changed. Being 4-3 down rather than 4-3 up in a match you are chasing makes a huge difference.”
Minutes after coming off the court, Peer viewed the contentious point coverage on Israeli television coverage, which clearly showed the ball should have been called in.
Despite the disappointment, Peer took heart from her best ever performance at Wimbledon.
“I am still very happy with how I have done at this grand slam,” she said. “ I am going home tonight very happy with how I have played in the tournament.”
