Tennis: Erakovic advances to second round

Marina Erakovic claimed her first victory of 2014. Photo / Getty Images

New Zealand's Marina Erakovic has advanced to the second round of the Australian Open following a straight sets win over 21st seed Sorana Cirstea.

Erakovic claimed her first victory of 2014, after being handed first round exits in Auckland and Hobart, beating the Romanian 6-4 7-6.

Cirstea, the world number 22, also went into the match winless in 2014 after losing to Sharon Fichman in the first round of the ASB Classic.

The pair had previously played just once before with the Romanian winning 2-6 6-3 6-2 on clay in Morocco in 2008.

It is just the third time that Erakovic, ranked 50th in the world, has progressed to the second round of the Australian Open (2009 and 2012).

She will face Zarina Diyas of Kazakstan in the second round with 11th seed Simona Halep looking as a possible third round opponent.

Third seed Maria Sharapova is also on the same side of the draw.