Tennis: Rising star hoping for pointers from her Kiwi doubles partner

Monica Puig believes playing doubles with Kiwi Marina Erakovic can enhance her singles game. Photo / Brett Phibbs

Puerto Rican eager to learn from more experienced Erakovic on third visit to Auckland

Puerto Rican young gun Monica Puig is hoping to learn a few tricks from her new Kiwi doubles partner Marina Erakovic at next week's ASB Classic.

The Miami-based 21-year-old, 59th in the world singles rankings, is looking to continue her strong 2014 form, after claiming her first WTA title in Strasbourg before being chosen to compete, and eventually winning, the flagship season-ending WTA finals tournament in Singapore.

On her third visit to Auckland, Puig is hoping to match Erakovic's ability close to the net and says doubles can enhance her singles game.

"I'm really excited to be pairing up with her [Erakovic] for this tournament and the Australian Open," Puig said. "We are both really aggressive players. She is more experienced at doubles than I am and she's very versatile at the net. In doubles, you get to practice a lot of things that maybe you need to work on for your singles game and coming to the net ... gives you a lot of confidence.

"It's just up to me to sharpen up my net game because I know I'm pretty solid from the back, so I think she can help me out in a lot of ways."

Puig is looking forward to enjoying the crowd support alongside the hometown favourite and hopes a positive start with Erakovic will see their partnership continue.

"That's always an advantage. I always like the crowd to get involved and hopefully be on my side.

"We're trying it out to see how things go but hopefully we do well at the beginning of the year to carry on and play for the rest of the year.

"I've never won a doubles title. I've been to finals of ITF doubles but am really hoping to push my ranking up in the WTA."

Building on last year's success and starting this season confidently are obvious priorities but Puig is embracing a more patient outlook.

"I've worked really hard in the preseason and the main focus is on not rushing things, taking my time and really putting into matches what I've learned in practice, and understanding that the results may not come right away.

"Even if this tournament doesn't go my way, the main goal is to get to Australia and really do well there.

"I've won a WTA title last year and I really want to win another one and many more."