Tennis: Erakovic reaches second round at Paris

Marina Erakovic eased into the second round of the French Open. Photo / Getty Images

New Zealand's Marina Erakovic has advanced to the second round of the French Open after a straight sets 6-2, 6-1 win over Ukraine's Nadiya Kichenok.

It is the third time Erakovic has reached the second round at Roland Garros where she will face fifth seed Petra Kvitova.

Erakovic, 61 in the world, wrapped up the match in under an hour, serving six aces against the world number 115 who was playing in her first ever grand match.

Kvitova was pushed by first round opponent Zarina Diyas in the early stages before winning 7-5, 6-2.

Erakovic and Kvitova have clashed three times before with the Czech coming out on top in all three matches. Their only match on clay was at the 2012 Madrid Open which Kvitova won 6-2, 6-3.

Kvitova has shown recent form on clay, reaching the semifinals at the Madrid Open before losing her opening match in Rome two weeks ago.

Meanwhile Erakovic and Spanish doubles partner Arantxa Parra Santonja have drawn Poland's Klaudia Jans-Ignacik and Ukraine's Maryna Zanevska in the first round.

Erakovic and Parra Santonja will be the 16th seeds for the tournament. The New Zealander reached the quarter-finalslast year with Zimbabwe's Cara Black.