Tennis: Eden Marama turns heads at ASB Classic

7.00pm - By TERRY MADDAFORD

There were nerves and some tentative shots but there was also hint of something special as Eden Marama beat Shelley Stephens in straight sets at the ASB Classic international women's tennis tournament in Auckland today.

The all-New Zealand battle provided one of the more interesting clashes on the opening day of the tournament.

Stephens, ranked 119 places ahead of her younger opponent at 369 in the world, began with an ace and proceeded to show glimpses of the form which has had her as the top-ranked New Zealander in recent years.

But after one hour and eight minutes she showed she was not consistent enough to really test Marama, who prevailed 6-4 6-3.

Unsettled by five "foot fault" calls and a couple of double faults, Stephens lacked the killer punch against a player who overpowered her.

"I was a little disappointed," said Stephens, 25, who has played the tournament nine times without winning a set.

"I think we were both nervous out there. I was not aggressive enough.

"She has a good solid first serve. If I gave her a short ball I was gone."

Marama also admitted to first up nerves in her debut appearance at the ASB Tennis Centre.

"But overall it was a great start. I'm pretty happy to be through to the second round," Marama, 17, said.

"It was satisfying to beat New Zealand's No 1 player.

"I was nervous and there were some butterflies in my stomach. It was pretty tough out there what with jetlag and having to come from the cold in Paris to this."

Marama said she has set her sights on reaching the top 200 by the end of this year.

She lacks experience and at times is a little impatient but mixed with that impetuosity are some encouraging signs.

She has a strong first serve, has the ability to play the power game and produce some deft touches at the net.

Long-time Women's Tennis Association supervisor and former top New Zealand player Brenda Perry has little doubt Marama is the best New Zealand prospect since Julie Richardson and Belinda Cordwell.

"She has the game to get there. Beyond that, who knows. She hits a heavy ball. She has a game to build on for sure. I was impressed by the way in which she persisted in coming to the net."

Marama's coach, Paris-based Nicolas Copin, sees her ability at the net as a decided asset.

"I encourage her to go to the net -- all the time. I want her to be a little different," Copin said.

"She is not as fast as some of the players she comes up against but we are working on that.

"Her strengths are her power, her serve, her return, she has a good forehand is strong at the net. Her weaknesses are her inconsistent backhand and her speed/movement."

Copin feels Marama can make it as high as the world's top 50 within three years.