Tennis: Erakovic in good form

Marina Erakovic. Photo / Dean Purcell

Kiwi tennis No1 Marina Erakovic has continued her good form at the US Open by combining for a straight sets win in the doubles first round.

Erakovic and Spanish doubles partner Arantxa Parra Santonja beat American wildcards Louisa Chirico and Katerina Stewart 6-4, 6-3.

"I think we have a good game which suits each other," Erakovic said.

"She hits a big ball and I like going to the net. The most important thing is that we really get along and trust each other.

"Our opponents were unknown and we were both a bit nervous at first. It was the first match, it wasn't pretty, but we managed to be aggressive on most of the points and it paid off, so overall a good day," she said.

Erakovic has a doubles ranking of 40 and some good results this year with Parra Santonja have included a title at Hertogenbosch in the Netherlands and making the finals at New Haven last week and the quarters at the French Open.

Fellow Kiwi Mike Venus is just getting to know his doubles partner, Mikhail Kukushkin from Kazakhstan.

"We only met for the first time a few days ago. It's the first time playing with him. He speaks English, which is going to help on the courts. I know he's a great player," says Venus, who is ranked 74th in the world in doubles.