KEY POINTS:
New Zealand's Marina Erakovic has broken into the top 100 in the world rankings for the first time in her tennis career.
The Women's Tennis Association's (WTA) updated rankings issued today listed Erakovic at 98th, up 27 places on her previous placing.
The promotion was due to her strong performances at last week's Memphis International in the United States.
Having pre-qualified for the tier three WTA event, Erakovic progressed to the semifinals where she was eliminated by American former world No 1 Lindsay Davenport.
A ranking inside the top 100 will grant Erakovic, who turns 20 on Thursday, access to more top level tournaments.
If she can improve further to inside the leading 95 players she would virtually be guaranteed a place in the main draw of Grand Slam tournaments.
The last New Zealander inside the top 100 on the WTA rankings was Pavlina Nola in 2000.
Erakovic is now preparing for the pre-qualifying tournament for the tier one US$1.2 million ($1.52 million) Pacific Life Cup at Indian Wells next week.
- NZPA
