December 29, 2010
Maria Sharapova's arrival in New Zealand yesterday for the ASB Classic drew plenty of media attention, but for now, the most photographed sportswoman in the world was keeping her powder dry, declining to do any interviews.
That powder was probably the only thing dry in Auckland yesterday though as heavy rain fell for most of the afternoon, forcing the cancellation of her planned hit out at the tennis centre.
It means that she won't see the refurbished stadium until today and maybe then she'll talk to the media.
Also missing out on a hit at ASB Tennis Centre yesterday was New Zealand's Marina Erakovic.
Erakovic's appearance at the Classic had been under a cloud since she picked up a wrist injury in October.
But yesterday Erakovic confirmed she'll definitely be playing at the tournament, taking a wildcard, along with fellow Kiwi Sacha Jones.
"I came home on November 1 and had a bit of a wrist issue but that's really settled down now," Jones told Fairfax Media.
"I've been through a whole training programme and I'm good to go.
"Now I'm just waiting for the [overseas] girls to come down and play some practice sets, but otherwise the body is good and I'm hitting the ball well, so everything is on track."
Erakovic's last match was in Rock Hill, USA, on October 19 when she retired at one set all against Canada's Sharon Fichman.
The week before she had her best tournament of the year, making it to the semifinals of the $US50,000 tournament in Saguenay, Canada.
Not playing a competitive match for two and a half months is double edged sword for Erakovic.
She'll go into the Classic match rusty, but has been able to spend time concentrating on her game.
"It is tough when you don't play a lot of matches for a while," she said.
"I guess this is the off season anyway so a lot of players do their training now and don't play proper matches.
"I've had time to work on things and get the fitness right so in that way it's been good."
With Erakovic being a wildcard, there is as much chance of her getting a first round draw against the likes of Sharapova or the tournament's other former world No 1 Dinara Safina.
A match like that is one New Zealand tennis fans would love to see and getting one of those players isn't a daunting feeling for Erakovic.
"I've always said I don't really think about that and whoever I get, I get," she said.
"If I did get Sharapova it would be a good match. Obviously Dinara has also had a tough year this year, she struggled with injuries and a few other things.
"It's tough for everyone out there and especially in the first tournament of the year when everyone's rusty and has to get into a groove."
Meanwhile, Erakovic confirmed she will also be playing doubles at the Classic, teaming up with Sweden's Sofia Arvidsson.
Since recovering from her hip injury in 2009 Erakovic's results have been better in doubles than singles. She has a doubles ranking of 95, compared to 333 in one-a-side tennis.
"We know each other pretty well because this year we were at a lot of the same events and she roomed with me this year in Florida for a bit," Erakovic said.
"So we get along quite well and she can hit a good ball. I thought why not if she's coming down? So I asked her and was up for it.
"I like my doubles, I think I play pretty well," she added.
"I don't really have a regular partner but I seem to do well with a lot of different partners.
"In doubles it's tough to find someone you can click with all year long because a lot of players play in all different events.
"But if I am with someone who can hit a good ball from the back and I can sneak in at the net it's a good combination."
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