23 Jun 2016

Erakovic closes in on a Wimbledon spot

9:02 am on 23 June 2016

New Zealand tennis number one Marina Erakovic is through to the final round of singles qualifying at Wimbledon after a straight set 6-4 6-2 win over Poland's Urszula Radwanska.

Marina Erakovic celebrates beating Peng Shuai during their women's singles match during the 2013 Wimbledon Championships.

Marina Erakovic celebrates beating Peng Shuai during their women's singles match during the 2013 Wimbledon Championships. Photo: AFP

She will now play the Russian 11th seed Irina Khromacheva ranked 123rd for a place in Wimbledon's main draw.

Erakovic ranked at 149 has never played the inexperienced 21-year-old Russian who is competing for her first appearance at Wimbledon.

Erakovic has played in the Wimbledon main draw on seven occasions and reached the third round of singles twice 2008 and 2013.

Meanwhile the seedings for Wimbledon have been confirmed with Michael Venus and Mate Pavic announced as the 16th seeds in the men's doubles. As a team this year they have won four titles and been a finalist once.

The last time a Kiwi male was seeded in doubles at Wimbledon was Brett Steven in 1998 where he was the ninth seed with American Patrick Galbraith.