Marina Erakovic will take on world No 40 Alize Cornet in the first round of the Australian Open, with the reward for the winner a likely meeting with former world No 1 Venus Williams in the second round.
Erakovic, who is ranked 67, has twice made the second round of the Australian Open in three appearances, including last year, but is hoping to go deeper in the grand slams. Her best result at a grand slam tournament is the third round at Wimbledon (2008, 2011).
She has vowed to play with more power in 2013 but was ousted from last week's ASB Classic in the second round by American Jamie Hampton.
Erakovic has played Cornet once, with the Frenchwoman winning in straight sets at the 2010 ASB Classic.
The Kiwi No 1 is expected to team up with Great Britain's Heather Watson in the doubles, with the draw being made this weekend. Erakovic and Watson have won two of the three WTA tournaments they have played together but were beaten last week by ASB Classic winners Cara Black and Anastasia Rodionova in the quarter-finals.
