Marina Erakovic narrowly beaten in Hong Kong

Marina Erakovic lost in straight sets to British player Heather Watson.

New Zealand tennis No.1 Marina Erakovic has been beaten in the first round of the main draw at the US$250,000 WTA tournament in Hong Kong.

The 28-year-old who entered the tournament ranked 119 in the world had won through the qualifying draw but was defeated by British player Heather Watson 7-5 7-6(9) in the first round of the main draw in a match which took just over two hours.

Watson managed a vital service break in the 11th game of the first set but it was the Kiwi who the lead in the second set surging ahead 4-1. However Watson showed plenty of resolve to come back and force the tiebreak where Erakovic saved a couple of match points and also had a set point.

Erakovic remains in the doubles draw where she is in the quarter-finals with Chinas Ling Zhang.