Tennis: Erakovic to face 21st seed

Marina Erakovic says she felt the pressure against Lauren Davis in yesterday's clash. Photo / Getty Images

New Zealand's Marina Erakovic has drawn 21st seed Sorana Cirstea for the opening round of the Australian Open, starting Monday.

Erakovic has had a less than ideal preparation for the first major of the year, being handed first round exits in Auckland and Hobart.

Cirstea, the world number 22, has also failed to record a win in 2014 after losing to Sharon Fichman in the first round of the ASB Classic.

The pair have played just once before with the Romanian winning 2-6 6-3 6-2 on clay in Morocco in 2008.

Locals handed tough Australian Open draws

Erakovic, ranked 50th in the world, has progressed past the second round of the Australian Open twice in her career (2009 and 2012). Cirstea has reached the third round in Melbourne the last two years.

The winner of the match will face either Serbian Bojana Jovanovski or a qualifier in the second round with 11th seed Simona Halep looking as a possible third round opponent.

Third seed Maria Sharapova is also on the same side of the draw.