Peer on slippery slope

SHAHAR Peer goes into the Australian Open in serious danger of dropping out of the world’s top 100.

Two years ago, Peer came to Melbourne on the cusp of the top 10, but the Israeli, currently ranked 73, has made a disastrous start to the new season following back-to-back defeats against lower-ranked rivals. She lost to Greta Arn (113) of Hungary in straight sets in the first round of the Sydney Open qualifiers this week. This followed a first-round defeat against Elina Svitlona (131) at the Chennai Open in India.

Davis Cup star Dudi Sela, ranked 109, will need to qualify for the Australian Open alongside Amir Weintraub and Julia Glushko.

Sela and Weintraub came through their respective first-round matches earlier this week.