Marina Erakovic
After looking so good yesterday, Marina Erakovic was off
her game today and was duly bundled out of the ASB Classic by
American Jamie Hampton 6-1 7-6.
The New Zealand No 1 is trying to play a "bigger" game this
year, but came up against a player who hit even bigger.
Hampton timed the ball sweetly in the first set, which took
only 27 minutes. In contrast, Erakovic looked sluggish and
off-colour.
She had her chances in the second set, breaking Hampton twice
and serving for the set, but was taken to a tiebreaker which
Hampton won 7-5.
It was at least an improvement for Erakovic, who was a
first-round casualty in the three previous years, but she
would have sensed a chance to do well given her part of the
draw had opened up following the early exit of defending
champion and fourth seed Zheng Jie.
Hampton will now take on Dutchwoman Kiki Bertens in
tomorrow's quarter-final.
"I had a lot of chances in that second set so it definitely
hurts," Erakovic said, "but Jamie played some great points
and deserved to win."
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