Erakovic through to first WTA clay semifinal

New Zealand tennis number one Marina Erakovic is through to her first WTA semifinal on clay.

Erakovic has beaten Czech Barbora Zahlavova Strycova 6-2, 1-6, 6-4 at the Budapest Grand Prix.

"She actually beat me in the finals of Quebec City last year so it was good to get this win and I felt I didn't play super tennis but I managed to do my best to win."

She says after a strong start she let it slip in the second set.

"I was spraying quite a few balls. In the third I tried to put a few more balls in the court and just make her move a bit more, that worked out well for me, it was still tight, but I managed to gain control of the third quite quickly."

She says the good start on clay puts her in good stead for Roland Garros.

"It definitely feels good to have won a few matches here and there's still another three events before Roland Garros, if I knock on wood to stay healthy and then keep going, I like the clay and I'm sure it'll be a good run."

Erakovic will play her doubles partner, Russian Elena Vesnina in the semis.

The pair pulled out of their doubles quarterfinal, with Erakovic suffering a slight abdominal strain.

"I had to retire from the doubles this afternoon just to give me a better shot at tomorrow's semifinal. It's just one of those things that comes up and it's not a big issue but it's one that is an annoyance."

Erakovic is poised to climb from her career high ranking of 45 next week.

Photo: Photosport