Marina Erakovic fought back from a set down to win her first-round match at the US$10,000 ASB International in Wellington yesterday.
The 16-year-old New Zealander took on 19-year-old sixth-seed and 2002 champion Adriana Szili, of Australia, Szili, ranked 514 in the world, won the first set 6-3 and led 5-2 in the second before Erakovic battled back to win the next five games.
In the final set, Erakovic overcame a back injury, which needed treatment in the second set, to take the match 3-6, 7-5, 6-2.
Erakovic admitted she was unsure of what to expect coming into the tournament after good performances in Australia last week. She said: "I didn't know her at all. I made a lot of unforced errors and just had to stay in there and I kinda pulled it off."
The problems for Erakovic came on her forehand where she over-hit too often and appeared to rush most of the points. She struggled with the strong wind and mist which swept across the court. "The weather was shocking," said Erakovic. "The wind was all over the place ... and they say Auckland's bad."
The world junior No 7 had the better shots than Szili but needed to know when to use them. If Erakovic is to progress through the senior ranks and ITF circuit, she will have to overcome numerous players similar to the Australian, who has never risen above 400 in the WTA rankings.
"I think I've started the year pretty well. I'm happy with the way I've been playing, except for today, " Erakovic said. She faces experienced Australian Trudi Musgrave in the second round.
Doubles specialist Leanne Baker showed she is still handy in singles with a first-round win indoors.
Baker beat American qualifier Shilpa Joshi 6-1, 6-2 to set up a clash with Sweden's Michaela Johansson.
Other New Zealanders fared badly. Tournament second seed and Kiwi No 1 Shelley Stephens was beaten by American qualifier Tiffany Eklov 4-6, 4-6, and wildcards Shona Lee and Wellington's Lisa Wilkinson also went down in straight sets.
Tennis: Erakovic digs deep for place in second round
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