Tennis: Positive clay court start for Erakovic

Kiwi Marina Erakovic has started her preparations for the French Open with a first round win at the US$220,000 Budapest Grand Prix.

Erakovic beat Frenchwoman Pauline Parmentier 7-6, 3-6, 7-6, taking the third set tiebreak 7-2.

"I kept at it, I kept fighting and I can't say it was pretty tennis but I managed to get the win in the end and I'm pleased about that,'' she said.

In the second round, Erakovic will face the winner of Michaella Krajicek (Netherlands) and Akgul Amanmuradova (Uzbekistan) who play tonight.

Erakovic is also second seed in the doubles with partner Elena Vesnina (Russia).

They face the Hungarian duo of Jani Rek-Luca and Melinda Czink in the first round.

Erakovic's top 50 ranking means she will play high-profile clay court tournaments in Madrid and Rome for the first time as she builds towards the French Open at Roland Garros, Paris later this month.