Tennis: Erakovic out of Wimbledon

Marina Erakovic exited Wimbledon today after being overwhelmed in the second round of the Grand Slam tennis championship in London.

The New Zealand No 1 proved no match for former world No 5, Slovakian Daniela Hantuchova, who powered her way past Erakovic 6-3 6-1.

Erakovic competed well before losing her serve at 3-4 in the first set to the world No 25.

From then on in-form Hantuchova, who beat American star Venus Williams and China's French Open champion Li Na in a Wimbledon warm-up tournament at Eastbourne last week, upped her game to close out the match in 70 minutes.

The match was played just a day after Erakovic's rain-delayed first round straight sets defeat of world No 136 Chang Kai-Chen, of Taiwan.

Despite the resounding nature of the result, qualifier Erakovic's recent surge in form has given her renewed hope looking ahead.

"I've had five matches at Wimbledon and that's not easy so you have to take some positives,'' said Erakovic, ranked No 144 in the world.

"I felt either of us could win out there and I had a few chances on the first set but I didn't seize them and she got into her game.

"She started hitting big balls and I had to play catch-up for the rest of the match."

Erakovic said Hantuchova hit some great shots.

"She was making shots and hitting lines which was tough. It was difficult to take any initiative because it was too good from her side.

"She picked it up and I felt I had to do more and more and started to make some errors.

"You really have to take your chances with a player like that because once she gets going she can get away quite quickly."

Erakovic had two break points on Hantuchova's serve in the first set but fell away badly as the gloom descended on court 15.

"She could dictate and step in and I wasn't able to switch things around. She's a smart player and she mixed up her shots well with length shots and angled ones. It was tough but I learnt a few lessons."

Erakovic now competes in the doubles then returns to Auckland before the United States hard court season starts next month.

- NZPA