KEY POINTS:
New Zealand women's tennis No 1 Marina Erakovic begins her preparations for the French Open as the second seed at a US$75,000 ($96,215) tournament in Monzon, Spain this week.
Erakovic has risen to a career-high world ranking of 86 in the latest WTA rankings released today, gaining her direct entry into the main draw of the French Open which begins on May 25.
Erakovic boosted her ranking after making the third round of the prestigious Sony Ericsson tournament in Miami, Florida last week, beating German Martin Muller and Dutchwoman Michaelle Krajicek in the first two rounds. She lost to American Venus Williams in straight games in the third round.
Following Monzon, Erakovic continues her clay court preparations at a tier four US$145,000 tournament in Fes, Morocco, starting on April 28 before heading for Paris .
The Estoril Open in Portugal starting on April 14 has also been pencilled in but not confirmed for Erakovic.
- NZPA
