Marina Erakovic
| Country (sports) |  New Zealand |
|---|---|
| Residence | Auckland, New Zealand |
| Height | 1.76 m (5 ft 9+1⁄2 in) |
| Turned pro | 2005 |
| Plays | Right (two-handed backhand) |
| Prize money | US$152,865 |
| Singles | |
| Career record | 141-63 |
| Career titles | 8 ITF |
| Highest ranking | No. 78 (May 19, 2008) |
| Grand Slam singles results | |
| Australian Open | Qualifying 2r (2007) |
| French Open | 2R (2008) |
| Wimbledon | Qualifying 1r (2007) |
| US Open | Qualifying 3r (2005 & 2007) |
| Doubles | |
| Career record | 49-27 |
| Career titles | 5 ITF |
| Highest ranking | No. 135 (May 26, 2008) |
| Last updated on: May 26, 2008. | |
Marina Erakovic (Serbian: Marina Eraković, cyrilic: Марина Ераковић, born March 6, 1988) is a professional tennis player from New Zealand. She was born in Split, Croatia, then Yugoslavia. She emigrated to Auckland, New Zealand in 1994. Her career high singles ranking is World No. 78, achieved on May 19, 2008. As of May 26, 2008, she is ranked World No. 135 in doubles.
Junior career
She teamed with Michaëlla Krajicek to win the 2004 US Open junior doubles title and Victoria Azarenka to win 2005 Australian Open junior doubles title.Erakovic was the runner-up in the 2004 and 2005 Wimbledon junior doubles with Monica Niculescu.
Professional career
2005-2006
In 2005 and 2006, Erakovic won five International Tennis Federation singles titles. She was a wildcard entry in the 2005 ASB Classic in Auckland, New Zealand where she lost in the second round. She lost in the second round of qualifying for the 2006 French Open.
2007
Erakovic lost in the second round of qualifying for the Australian Open, the first round of qualifying for the French Open, the first round of qualifying for Wimbledon, and the third round of qualifying for the U.S. Open. She was a wildcard entry in the ASB Classic in Auckland, New Zealand where she lost in the second round.
2008
Erakovic received another wild card into the ASB Classic in Auckland, New Zealand where she defeated World No. 67 American Ashley Harkleroad in the second round 7–6(5), 7–5 to reach the quarterfinals for the first time. This was the best result at this event by a New Zealand tennis player since 1990[1] and was the first time since 1990 that a New Zealand female tennis player had reached the singles semifinals of a Women's Tennis Association event.[citation needed] In her quarterfinal match, Erakovic defeated the top seed and World No. 22 Russian Vera Zvonareva 6–3, 2–6, 7–6(5) but lost in the semifinals to World No. 90 French player Aravane Rezai 6–3, 7–5.
Erakovic then lost in the first round of qualifying for the Australian Open.
At the Cellular South Cup in Memphis, Tennessee, Erakovic won five qualifying and main draw matches before defeating Russian Alla Kudryavtseva in the quarterfinals 4–6, 6–3, 6–3. She then lost to Lindsay Davenport in the semifinals 6–0, 6–3. Following this tournament, Erakovic's world ranking entered the top 100 for the first time.
Erakovic lost in the first round of qualifying for the Tier I Pacific Life Open in Indian Wells, California. At the Tier I Sony Ericsson Open in Key Biscayne, Florida, Erakovic initially was awarded a wildcard into the qualifying portion of the tournament but was upgraded to a main draw wildcard after a withdrawal.[2] She then lost in the third round to Venus Williams 6–2, 6–1.
Erakovic then lost in the second round of the ITF Circuit tournament in Monzon, Spain, the first round of the Tier IV Grand Prix SAR La Princesse Lalla Meryem in Fes, Morocco, and the first round of the Tier III Istanbul Cup. In doubles, Erakovic and Polona Hercoq were the runners-up at the Istanbul Cup.
At the ongoing French Open, World No. 80 Erakovic defeated World No. 56 Tathiana Garbin in the first round 6–7(9), 6–3, 6–3 before losing to third-seeded Jelena Jankovic in the second round 6-2, 7-6(5).
ITF titles (13)
Singles (8)
- 2005 - US$10,000 Warrnambool, Australia
- 2005 - US$10,000 Yarrawonga, Australia
- 2006 - US$25,000 Alphen aan den Rijn, Netherlands
- 2006 - US$25,000 Melbourne, Australia
- 2006 - US$50,000 Beijing, China
- 2007 - US$25,000 Rockhampton, Australia
- 2007 - US$25,000 Gympie, Australia
- 2008 - US$25,000 Mildura, Australia
Doubles (5)
- 2007 - US$25,000 Padova, Italy (with Maret Ani, Estonia)
- 2007 - US$25,000 La Coruna, Spain (with Melanie South, United Kingdom)
- 2007 - US$75,000 Dubai, United Arab Emirates (with Monica Niculescu, Romania)
- 2008 - US$25,000 Mildura, Australia (with Nicole Kriz, Australia)
- 2008 - US$25,000 Berri, Australia (with Nicole Kriz, Australia