Olympian Erakovic in NZ tennis team for C`wealth Games

Wellington: Olympian Marina Erakovic was today named in New Zealand`s four-strong tennis team for the October 3 to 14 Commonwealth Games in Delhi.

"Erakovic, with a current ranking of 114, has been named along with doubles partner Ellen Barry. The men`s combination of Jose (Rubin) Statham and Marcus Daniell was also named. All the players will also compete in singles at the Commonwealth Games," Tennis New Zealand said in a statement. Tennis will be played for the first time at Commonwealth Games. New Zealand Olympic Committee secretary general and team selector Barry Maister said the Kiwis have a good chance of winning a doubles medal at the event."Doubles tennis in the Commonwealth Games environment is new and their performances are going to be hard to predict," he said. "In Davis Cup and Fed Cup contests, our tennis team members have all showed their great passion and commitment in representing New Zealand, and we know they will compete with distinction at the Commonwealth Games," added Steve Johns, CEO for Tennis New Zealand. Erakovic has a current world ranking of 362 in singles and 114 in doubles.Erakovic has won two doubles titles (ITF USD 75,000 and WTA USD 220,000) and was runner up in two (USD 50,000 and USD100,000) since November 2009. Erakovic represented New Zealand at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing. Davis Cup captain Marcel Vos will be the official team coach. PTI