Erakovic causes huge upset in Rome

New Zealand's Marina Erakovic has caused the biggest upset in the women's draw on day two of the Rome Masters.

Erakovic has knocked out 11th seed, world number 13 Sabine Lisicki in three sets, 7-6, 4-6, 6-3 to reach the second round.

"I knew it would be tight because Sabine is a good fighter and she's a very good ball striker so I tried to stay positive throughout the match and just keep fighting for every point and trying to do the right things and in the end it paid off."

"It was difficult, also because it's a first round and neither of us played some good tennis but we battled hard and there were some good points and some bad ones."

"Overall I think I fought well and I tried to play my game as best as I could whenever I got the opportunity, of course there was some tight moments but in the end I'm very happy that I got through today."

Tennis New Zealand CEO Steve Johns says her win this morning provides another compelling reason to pick Erakovic to compete at the Olympics.

Under Olympic selection criteria Erakovic must be capable of a top 16 finish to be selected for London. The NZOC has said Erakovic doesn't meet this critera.

Mr Johns says they'll be contacting the NZOC today to press her case further with the ITF's cut off for Olympic entry after the French Open.

"Certainly her form at the moment and they way her ranking's going are all pointing towards a selection for the Olympics, so the win last night will only strengthen that case."

Johns says another good reason to pick her is the fact the tournament's being played at Wimbledon.

"On grass Marina has an 81 percent win ratio, so it's certainly her preferred surface, and you know tennis is a little bit different than other sports. Anyone in that draw could get through to the top 16."

The International Tennis Federation's cutoff for Olympic selection is after the French Open finishes next month.

Marina Erakovic will face South African Chanelle Scheepers in the second round tonight.

Photo: Photosport