KEY POINTS:
Marina Erakovic says she can only benefit from her lesson at the hands of tennis great Venus Williams in Miami this morning (NZ time).
Erakovic's run in the $US3.7 million ($NZ4.7 million) Sony Ericsson WTA tournament ground to a halt in the third round, hammered 2-6 1-6 by
the American world No 7 and winner of six Grand Slam titles.
It was an hour and eight minute experience that the Auckland 20-year-old said would serve her well.
"It was a tough match today but the more matches I have like this, I feel the more I can improve as a tennis player," world No 101 Erakovic told reporters.
"I was a little nervous but I don't think I was overawed by the situation.
"I've been playing now a little bit on the WTA tour.'
Another American great, Lindsay Davenport, ended Erakovic's run in the semifinals of the WTA event in Memphis a month ago. She also reached the semifinals at Auckland in January.
Williams had her second service game broken today but otherwise was in full control, using her renowned power to take particular toll on the wavering Erakovic serve.
Williams, 27, had some positive words to say about her wildcard opponent's burgeoning qualities.
"She brought a lot of balls back, and that was a challenge, but I was just winning all of the important points," Williams said.
"I thought she was really a player. She was very consistent, took her time even though she was playing against a player who has had a lot of experience and a lot of success.
"I think I played consistent and (made) not too many errors, which is great for me."
Williams has won 36 career titles and $US18.4 million ($NZ23.2 million) in career prizemoney.
Erakovic's wins over German Martin Muller and Dutchwoman Michaelle Krajicek should improve her world rankings into the mid-80s, assuring her of a place in the French Open starting on May 25.
If her ranking holds she could earn starts in the year's other Grand Slam tournaments, Wimbledon and US Open.
Erakovic will downgrade her programme over the next month to spend time training, probably in Europe.
She is scheduled to contest the tier four tournament at Fes in Morocco from April 28 while the Estoril Open in Portugal starting on April 14 is a possibility.
Both tournaments feature prizemoney of $US145,000.
Erakovic's bank balance improved this week to the tune of $US20,400.
- NZPA