Erakovic soaking up positive Wimbledon vibes

Reuters

GRASS IS GREENER: Marina Erakovic returns to Wimbledon for the first time since her run to the 2011 doubles semi-finals.

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The good recent memories will come flooding back to Marina Erakovic as she starts her 2012 Wimbledon campaign with a challenging first round singles match.

Erakovic, who is currently ranked 49th on the latest WTA rankings, takes on Urszula Radwanska from Poland who is ranked 54th tonight (NZT). Urszula is the sister of world No 3 Agnieska Radwanska.

Erakovic said Wimbledon is a place she holds dear to her heart and loves playing at, especially after making the semifinals of the doubles last year.

"There's always good memories for me here at Wimbledon. I really appreciate the history. I have always liked grass and the history here.

''My first coach (Chris Lewis) made the final here and always talked with great pride and just the great atmosphere. It's a special place. It's going to be interesting to have the Olympics here and everyone wearing coloured clothes too."

Erakovic said Radwanska would be a tough opponent.

"I think I've played her once in the juniors. She's a good player and she plays well on grass. She's had some good results of late," said Erakovic, who says her own good results this year have come after some tough times in her career.

"Just a lot of hard work and winning a few matches here and there gets the confidence going."

Erakovic plays doubles with her partner from last year Tamarine Tanasugarn of Thailand. They open their draw against the Chinese duo of Jie Zheng and Shuai Peng.

- © Fairfax NZ News