Tennis: Erakovic advances to quarterfinals in England

Marina Erakovic. Photo / Steven McNicholl

Marina Erakovic has toppled a fancied title contender to vault into the quarterfinals at the Birmingham Classic tennis tournament in England.

The 22-year-old New Zealander dug deep to eliminate seventh seeded Italian Sara Errani in the third round of the US$220,000 ($265,940) grass court event today.

Erakovic, ranked 151st in the world, had to come from a set down to secure a fighting 5-7 6-4 6-3 win over Errani, ranked 36th.

That leaves the Aucklander to contemplate a tough quarterfinal against world No 20 Peng Shuai, of China, who today booked her place in the last eight by eliminating Briton Heather Watson in straight sets.

- NZPA