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Marina Erakovic - Source: Photosport -
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New Zealand's Marina Eravokic is out of the ASB Classic, losing to Russian top seed Elena Dementieva in straight sets on Wednesday.
AUDIO: Listen to Belinda Cordwall discuss Marina Erakovic (1:16)
The 20-year-old battled bravely but never quite found her A game in going down 6-2 6-3 in just under one hour and a half against the Beijing gold medallist.
Erakovic also required two medical time outs late in the second set, having extended treatment for an abdominal problem out on centre court.
The match was played in a noisy atmosphere, indeed after the game Dementieva reflected that at times it felt like a federation cup match between New Zealand and Russia.
World number four Dementieva was consistent throughout, with some crunching returns and lovely cross court ground strokes in particular catching the eye.
The 27-year-old Russian put a lot of pressure on the Erakovic serve, forcing 16 breakpoints (five converted) and nine double faults.
Indeed the New Zealanders performance from the service line probably sealed her fate as she only managed a first serve percentage of 43%.
Erakovic made a bright start to the match, holding serve early on against the world number four.
It proved to be a false dawn.
Dementieva hit eight clean winners and forced five break points in taking the first set 6-2 in just over 40 minutes.
Erakovic fought gamely (saving 11 breakpoints throughout) and played some great tennis at times, but struggled to contend with the power of the Russians groundstrokes.
At the start of the second set Erakovic converted her first (and as it proved only) breakpoint to level the match at 1-1.
This brought the crowd to life Cmon Marina - you are in this! yelled one spectator in the York stand.
But Erakovic couldnt hold her serve in the next game, a meek drop shot was a poor way to end the rally.
Dementieva began to show the quality of someone who is the 4th best player on the planet, with 11 WTA singles titles and over $US10 million in prizemoney to her credit.
Late in the 6th game of the second set, from well behind the baseline, the Russian produced an inside out forehand that found the line.
It was gold medal quality.
Erakovic, who in 2008 took down the top seeded Russian at the quarter final stage, never gave up and fought till the end.
Serving to stay in the match at 5-3 down, the Kiwi saved two match points at 15-40 before Dementieva clinically converted the third.
Erakovics focus will now turn to the WTA tour event in Hobart, while Dementieva faces fifth-seeded Israeli Shahar Peer in Thursdays quarter-final.
