When Yanina Wickmayer was banned for anti-doping violations, the
first player to offer unconditional support was Israel's Shahar
Peer.
On Friday in Wickmayer's first tournament since a Belgian
civil court lifted her one-year ban in December, she beat Peer 6-4,
7-5 in the ASB Classic semifinals.
In the other semifinal, top-seeded Flavia Pennetta swept past
Italian countrywoman Franncesca Schiavone 6-3, 6-0.
Wickmayer and compatriot Xavier Malisse were banned in
November for failing on three occasions to inform Belgian
anti-doping officials of their whereabouts, as WADA rules require.
Last month, a court lifted Wickmayer's ban pending an appeal to the
Court of Arbitration for Sport, the European Commission and the
European Court of Human Rights. That cleared the way for her to
play in Auckland.
"It was a shame she got the ban and I'm happy she could come
back,'' Peer said.
"I sent her an e-mail to support her and I said I hoped she
was fine. They went too far with the penalty, which she did not
deserve.''
Peer's support and her budding friendship with Wickmayer
counted for little Friday. The Belgian broke serve in the third and
fifth games en route to winning the first set in 35 minutes.
Peer was aggressive and determined in the second set, taking
a 3-0 lead, but Wickmayer, who served well in windy conditions,
fought back to break the Israeli and level the set at 3-3.
Peer held serve under pressure in the seventh game, won the
ninth game to love but dropped serve again, critically, in the 11th
game, allowing Wickmayer to serve out the match.
"I didn't play my best tennis today but she didn't either,''
Wickmayer said.
"They were tough conditions with the wind and we had to wait
while it rained but I'm glad I managed to pull out a win.''
