For the first time, top Kiwi player Marina Erakovic is playing as a direct acceptance into the main draw of the Australian Open.
She played and won her first round match late last night (NZ time), defeating Petra Cetkovska, of the Czech Republic in straight sets. The score in the 93-minute match was 6-4 7-5.
Cetkovska is currently ranked at 85 in the world in singles, compared to Erakovic at 68.
By coincidence, they both peaked at ranking 49 in 2008. They had never played each other in a professional match before.
Erakovic will now face Luci Safarova of the Czech Republic, ranked 60 in the world, who overcame Sybille Bammer of Austria, 24th seed at the Australian Open.
They'll see each other across the net in the first round of doubles as well: Erakovic playing with Jelena Costanic Tosic of Croatia, while Safarova is teamed with Galina Voskoboeva of Kazahkstan.
Three New Zealand Juniors are also playing in the main draw of the boys event at the Australian Open: Jordan Kelly-Houston from Canterbury, and brothers Riki and Ben McLachlan from Queenstown. The draw for the Juniors will be announced on 26 January.
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