Tennis: Erakovic is looking way beyond the futures

For some people, places like Warrnambool, Benalla and Yarrawonga might not sound ideal to be making your mark on the tennis world but for Marina Erakovic it's all part of a master plan.

The Croatian-born tennis ace has been plying her trade in three US$10,000 ($13,925) futures tournaments, with outstanding success considering she won one, was a beaten finalist in another and yesterday qualified for her third consecutive ITF tournament final after a straight sets win over Russia's Julia Vorobieva.

It came on the back of winning the doubles and making the quarter-finals of the Australian Open junior tournament, winning her first-round match at the ASB Classic and completing a practice session with her idol Monica Seles.

Perhaps like a lot of players who have to grow up quickly, Erakovic speaks with maturity beyond her 17 years. It's part of the reason why, despite a successful summer, she's taking things in her stride and is in no hurry to get where she wants to go - and that's the top.

"It's just the beginning for me because I've only just started playing the lower-ranked senior events," Erakovic says with her mixed accent from a hotel room in Yarrawonga. "It's a step-by-step process this year and the next as I work my way towards the top of the top in the seniors.

"It's been a really good summer and to know I can compete in these tournaments and play even higher is good for my confidence."

While chuffed with her form, Erakovic isn't surprised by her early success despite being unseeded for all three futures events.

"I wouldn't say that success has come sooner than I expected," she says rather shyly. "I know most of these girls and most of them are beatable. I'm coming into the events with the aim of winning."

Already most of her year has been mapped out, giving her little time to devote to three Year 13 subjects at Glendowie College.

After returning home tomorrow, she'll have three weeks in New Zealand before more than likely heading to India for the Federation Cup before venturing to US$25,000 ($33,500) tournaments in China and Japan and a winter in Europe.

While improving her ranking is the goal - it will go up tomorrow from the 600s to the mid-400s in the space of three weeks - Erakovic is also putting a large emphasis on her junior ambitions.

High on that list is the French Open and Wimbledon, where the world No 7-ranked junior hopes to add to the doubles titles she picked up at the US and Australian Opens.

"If you compare them to some ITF women's events, I'd say junior Grand Slams are higher quality," she explains. "There's not much time for a break but that's a tennis life. You have to make your priorities."

Erakovic has made hers and it seems everything is in place for her to fulfil the potential that has her marked as a future star.

- HERALD ON SUNDAY