Marina Erakovic's winless run at the US Open has continued with the Kiwi number one failing to advance past the first round for a third straight year.
Erakovic, first up on court 10, lost to world number 102 Maria-Teresa Torro-Flor 6-0, 6-4 in just over an hour, becoming one of the first players eliminated from the tournament.
The Spaniard took out the first set in just 31 minutes despite both players struggling with their serves. Torro-Flor committed four double faults in the opening set, and Erakovic five, but made the most of three break point chances to take command of the match.
The second set was a tighter contest but the New Zealander couldn't force a deciding third set, losing in the opening round of the US Open the fourth time of her career.
Torro-Flor will face third seed Agnieszka Radwanska of Poland in the next round.
Erakovic will now shift focus to the doubles where she was had relatively more success at Flushing Meadows, reaching the quarter-finals in 2008. Her and partner Cara Black, the tournament 13th seeds, face Lourdes Dominguez Lino of Spain and Israel's Shahar Peer in the first round later in the week.
- Cameron McMillan of the NZ Herald
