Tennis: Erakovic through to quarter-finals

Marina Erakovic. Photo / Getty Images.

Marina Erakovic preparations for this month's French Open are progressing nicely with the New Zealand tennis No 1 easing through to the quarter-finals of the Budapest Grand Prix today.

Erakovic was on court for only 36 minutes this morning (NZT) and was leading Uzbekistan's Akgul Amanmuradova 6-0 when her opponent retired with a right elbow injury. The tournament fifth seed will now play Barbora Zahlavova Strycova, who beat fourth 4 seed and fellow Czech Klara Zakopalova 6-3 6-3.

Zahlavova Strycova beat Erakovic, who is ranked 45th in the world, in the final of the WTA event in Quebec last year.

The Budapest tournament is Erakovic's first on clay in the European season - she played two in South America earlier in the year - ahead of the French Open which starts on May 27.