Tennis: Marina seeing double as Kiwi fans tune in to Classic

Russia's Elena Vesnina and New Zealand's Marina Erakovic at practice for the ASB Classic yesterday. Photo / Photosport

Marina Erakovic is back in town and ready to face down some demons at this week's ASB Classic.

It's about this time of year that a lot of focus from the public and media goes on the 26-year-old.

For much of the tennis season, Erakovic is overseas, playing in unfriendly time zones and probably doesn't get the coverage that she deserves.

But in January, she becomes the flag bearer for New Zealand tennis, a role she has found difficult in the past. While she has performed at times - she had a great run to the semifinals here in 2008 - she admitted last year expectations and pressure can be difficult to deal with.

She loves the tournament and the feeling of being based at home but has struggled in recent times to find her groove on centre court.

So how is she feeling coming into this year?

"It's never going to be easy. It's just the way it is," Erakovic said. "Every year, I will try to deal with it the best way I can. I [also] try to focus on the positive. I get a home tournament and a lot of support here, which is great.

"Every year, you are super-nervous at the start. [But] once you get going, you feel that crowd and it lifts you. It's a great thing to have."

Erakovic will also have a familiar opponent, drawing her new doubles partner Monica Puig in the first round. "It happens more than you think," says Erakovic of facing her team-mate. "It's not the first time this has happened to me and I'm sure it's not the first for her, either. It's a bit funny, actually, but it's also just like any other match.

"When you go out for your singles match, you focus and say, 'good morning'. You might make a joke. After that it's done and you carry on."

Erakovic, who has previously faced doubles partners Elena Vesnina and Monica Niculescu in singles, says that inside knowledge helps - but only so much.

"She knows how I play and I know how she plays but match-day is a lot different."

Puig is a tough proposition - the world No 59 is seen as a player on the rise - but Erakovic is also in good shape after a month-long off-season in Barcelona. If she passes the first hurdle, she could face fourth seed Barbora Zahlavova-Strycova in the second round and Roberta Vinci and Kirsten Flipkens are also in her quarter of the draw.

Yesterday's draw was kind to top seed Caroline Wozniacki, who got a qualifier.

The best match-up of the first round will see world No 14 Sara Errani against Slovakian Daniela Hantuchova, who has been ranked as high as fifth in the world.