Tennis: Erakovic into semis in Alabama

Marina Erakovic plays a backhand. Photo / Steven McNichol

New Zealand tennis player Marina Erakovic is into the semifinals of the US$25,000 ($32,800) Challenger event in Pelham, Alabama in the United States.

Erakovic beat Italian Giorgi Camila 6-4 6-3 and will now face Frenchwoman, Caroline Garcia for a place in the final.

In her past three tournaments Erakovic has reached the quarterfinals, won a title (Irapuato, Mexico) and is now in the quarters of her third consecutive US$25,000 event.

Meanwhile, Sacha Jones lost in the quarterfinals to former top-40 player Olga Puchkova of Russia 6-4 6-0 at the US$25,000 tournament at Ipswich, Australia.

In the men's US$15,000 Futures tournament at the same venue, New Zealand Davis Cup player Michael Venus has reached the semifinals with a 6-2 6-3 win over Australian Isaac Frost.

Venus will play fifth seed Erik Chvojka, of Canada, for a place in the final. Fellow Davis Cup team member Marcus Daniell was beaten 6-1 6-4 in the quarters by Japan's Kento Takeuchi.

- NZPA