Tennis: Erakovic loses in first round at Indian Wells

Marina Erakovic was ousted in the first round of the rich Indian Wells tennis tournament today after a marathon three-set defeat to Kazakhstan's Galina Voskoboeva 5-7 6-3. 7-5.

The Kiwi No 1 and world's 45th-ranked player had her chances in the match that lasted two hours and 37 minutes and had four match points at 5-4 in the third third set but allowed her opponent back into the match. She was immediately broken before Voskoboeva, ranked 53, served out the match.

Neither player settled on serve with 15 breaks of serve in the match. Erakovic also notched up 10 double faults to heap more pressure on herself.

It now means Erakovic has missed out on the chance to take on French Open champion and world No 8 Li Na in the second round.