Erakovic and Monica Puig were defeated 6-7 (9) 7-6 (6) 6-3 by Michaella Krajicek and Barbora Zahlavova Strycova in an epic battle that lasted for more than two and a half hours.
It was played out in front of a vocal crowd on court ten, in sizzling Melbourne conditions
and it was a match that Erakovic and Puig probably should never have lost.
They broke early in each set but couldn't consolidate, letting their opponents back into the contest.
But they had the momentum throughout and had chances in the second set tie break to seal the result.
The third set was particularly galling for the Kiwi-Central American duo.
They first gave up a 2-0 lead then later had Krajicek at 0-40 in successive service games but were unable to convert any of the break point opportunities.
Erakovic did well to save a match point on her service game at 2-5 in the final set before Krajicek served out the match.
The result - and manner of the performance - is a set back for the new Erakovic-Puig combination.
They have good chemistry on court but the Puerto Rican's all out attacking approach can be costly in the doubles form of the game, when the emphasis is often on limiting errors.
Erakovic's next tournament will be the Pattaya Open in Thailand, followed by the WTA tournament in Qatar.
By Michael Burgess in Melbourne
