Play nzherald.co.nz's rugby Pick the Score competition - go to: pickthescore.nzherald.co.nz
KEY POINTS:
New Zealand's Marina Erakovic used a big serve to overwhelm American Julie Ditty 7-6 6-0 and advance to the second round of a WTA tennis tournament in Memphis today.
Erakovic whistled down eight aces, seven in the first set, to make a flying start to the US$220,000 hardcourt event.
It was a tight first set, featuring one break of serve each, but the New Zealander with a world ranking of 56 held her nerve to win the tiebreak 7-4 against Ditty, ranked 107.
The second set was a different story, with Erakovic dominating her 30-year-old, left-handed opponent, winning 25 points to 10.
Erakovic's last WTA tournament was the Australian Open in Melbourne three weeks ago where she reached the second round.
She is hoping to use the Memphis event to climb into the top 50.
Last year at the same event she improved to inside the top 100 after reaching the semifinals, where she lost to eventual champion Lindsay Davenport.
Erakovic's next opponent will be either qualifier Melanie Oudin, ranked 147th, or fellow-American Jill Craybas, ranked 93rd.
- NZPA