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An angry Marina Erakovic - Source: Photosport -
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Marina Erakovic pulled no punches in assessing her Australian Open first round loss to 15th seed Li Na on Wednesday.
The New Zealand number two was brutally honest when she spoke to tvnz.co.nz after the match.
"It was frustrating - it was 6-2 6-0 - it was an arse kicking so it was very frustrating."
"It is hard when literally every second of third ball she just rips in the corner, she is not seeded 16th for no reason".
The two players had practised together before Auckland's ASB Classic, with Li Na winning their practice set 6-1
"I knew what was coming but I was still positive, still in it to win it but it just didn't happen today."
There was a brief glimmer of hope in the first set when Erakovic climbed back from 4-0 down to 4-2 - but she couldn't maintain it.
"I started to play a few good games there then it disappeared.
It's tough to get that rthymn and I just didn't get that
today."
Shell shocked
The 21-year was clearly shell shocked by the manner of the defeat but tried to look ahead.
"Today is just a tough day [and] it will be a tough day tomorrow too feeling this loss but those feelings pass and you are going to have great days as well.
"You try to stay positive and that's what I intend to do."
Erakovic will not be able to use her injury protected ranking of 83 to enter another Grand Slam but can enter seven further tournaments this year.
She believes she still has the game to return to somewhere near the top echeleon of WTA tennis.
"It is great to be playing again at this level and I have no doubt I am going to be back up there in no time."
"It is a matter of getting fitter, moving better and handling that pace. It'll come."
Erakovic has to move on quickly as she prepares for a first round doubles match on Thursday.
The Kiwi will team up with Australia's Casey Dellacqua as they take on the Russian 11th seeds Alla Kudryavtseva and Eketarina Makarova.
