Erakovic beaten in first round of US Open

New Zealand tennis No1 Marina Erakovic has  been beaten in the first round of the US Open.

Erakovic, the world No54, was beaten 7-5, 6-4 by 19-year-old French wildcard Kristina Mladenovic.

The first set took 48 minutes as the Frenchwoman converted two of her four break-point chances, and won both the ace and winner counts 6-2.

The second set lasted an hour with the Kiwi falling behind 4-1 to an early break, battling back with a service break of her own but then unable to hold her serve in the 10th, and final, game of the set.

The Frenchwoman converted her second match point opportunity to make it out of the first round at a grand slam tournament for the first time in eight attempts.

Erakovic will now play doubles with Brit, Heather Watson. They have won the two tournaments they have played in as a team.