First in Memphis

Marina Erakovic, 24, has became the first New Zealander, since Belinda Cordwell in 1989, to win a Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) title, lifting her first career trophy with a truncated triumph over third-seeded German Sabine Lisicki in Memphis, United States. Erakovic confidently raced to a 6-1 first-set victory, and the title was hers when the struggling Lisicki retired. “I would like to thank my coach Chris [Zahalka], we have been together for a few years now and we do a really good job,” Erakovic said. While she was sorry the match didn’t go the distance she still savoured her first WTA crown, which she said she planned to celebrate by going sky-diving with her coach.